Omani Pilot’s Terror Plan Uncovered Before Hijack Attempt
Omani co-pilot plotted to crash Flydubai flight into Israel, but attack was thwarted by passengers.
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A co-pilot from Oman, Hamam al-Hammami, had previously planned a hijacking attack on a Flydubai flight carrying 174 people, including four Americans, but called it off due to his friendship with at least one crew member. The incident unfolded on Flight 1073, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv when al-Hammami attacked the captain, attempting to seize control of the aircraft.
Chilling Endgame and Last-Minute Attack
According to reports, al-Hammami had planned to crash the plane into the heart of Israel, intending to fly normally after killing the captain, obtain landing clearance, and then crash the aircraft into a building at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. He reportedly waited until the aircraft was over Jordan before launching the attack to avoid detection by authorities.
Passengers and Pilots Thwart the Attack
Passengers fought their way into the cockpit and subdued the attacker. One passenger helped stabilize the plane before two off-duty pilots took over the controls. President Donald Trump praised the captain for opening the cockpit door, calling it a heroic act that allowed passengers to intervene.
Background and Radicalization Concerns
Al-Hammami, born in the United Arab Emirates to an Omani father and a Syrian mother, had previously been removed from flight duties at Oman Air due to concerns about his radical ideological views. Despite this, he was hired by Flydubai, allowing him to operate on the UAE-Israel route. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described al-Hammami as having undergone Islamist radicalization, emphasizing the potential for a disaster on the scale of September 11.
Security Failures and Public Reaction
Aviation-security analysts pointed out potential security lapses that allowed the attack to proceed. Even with a screening lapse, they argued, a determined attacker should have been identified and stopped before reaching the airport. The incident has sparked renewed concerns about aviation security and the need for improved screening and monitoring processes.
Source: Daily Wire
