Almost a repeat of 911! Dubai Airline co-pilot "hit captain with ax" and attempted to crash into Israeli airport
An Omani co-pilot attempted to seize control of a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and crashed into the airport.
Quick Look
- Hamami, a 29-year-old Omani co-pilot of Dubai Airlines, attempted to attack the captain with an ax while flying FZ1073 flight on September 30 and crashed into Israel's Ben Gurion Airport.
- The crew counterattacked and subdued him in time, and the passenger plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- The suspect was subsequently handed over to the United Arab Emirates authorities.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The suspect was deeply affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States in 2001 and flew to Tel Aviv twice to familiarize himself with the environment.
The Prosecutor General of the United Arab Emirates confirmed on the 9th that a flydubai co-pilot attempted to launch a "911-style" suicide attack and hit Tel Aviv Airport while on a flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel at the end of September. Fortunately, the captain and other pilots on board counterattacked in time to prevent a terrorist attack that caused heavy casualties.
According to Reuters, UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al Shamsi issued a statement stating that the 29-year-old Omani co-pilot flew FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. When the passenger plane passed over Saudi Arabia, the co-pilot suddenly picked up an emergency ax in the cockpit and attacked the captain, trying to seize control and crash into Israel's Ben Gurion Airport.
The attack caused the airliner to plummet 16,000 feet (approximately 4,900 meters) in just 30 seconds. Fortunately, the captain and two other pilots on the same plane teamed up to subdue the attacker and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The suspect was then handed over to the UAE authorities. People familiar with the matter told Reuters that the co-pilot involved was named Hammam al-Hammami.
The UAE prosecutor's investigation showed that the suspect was deeply affected by the "911 terrorist attacks" in the United States in 2001. He had flown to Tel Aviv twice before to familiarize himself with the route and the airport environment, and made "physical and mental preparations" by watching extremist videos and practicing boxing.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
UAE authorities will initiate formal criminal prosecution of the suspects
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- How did the suspect pass the airline background check?
- Are there other accomplices or organizations involved?






