New Delhi, Oct. 5 -- The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight allegedly chose the airline because of its Tel Aviv route and had planned to crash the aircraft at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, according to details emerging from the investigation. Hamam al-Hammami, the co-pilot of flight FZ1073, allegedly told investigators that he had researched airlines operating to Tel Aviv before joining Flydubai. He is reported to have said that he chose the airline because it flew to Israel and that he had formulated the plan before being recruited.
According to the reported interrogation details, al-Hammami intended to kill Machchhar inside the cockpit, take control of the aircraft and continue towards Tel Aviv. He allegedly planned to crash the plane into a building or another aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport. The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. The aircraft subsequently went into a rapid descent, losing thousands of feet before control was regained. Machchhar, despite sustaining serious injuries, managed to open the cockpit door. This allowed people in the cabin to enter the flight deck and help restrain the co-pilot. Other pilots travelling on the aircraft also assisted in regaining control of the plane. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. All passengers survived the incident.
The latest claims indicate that investigators are examining the possibility that the cockpit attack was premeditated rather than the result of a sudden confrontation. However, the investigation into al-Hammami's motives and background remains ongoing. Authorities are also examining his previous aviation history and possible links to extremist material. Reports indicate that investigators in several countries, including the UAE, Oman, Israel and Australia, are looking into different aspects of his background and recruitment. The investigation is also focused on how al-Hammami was recruited and cleared to operate commercial flights, particularly given the concerns now emerging about his previous background. Questions have been raised about whether information held by authorities in different countries was adequately shared during the recruitment and vetting process.
The alleged plan to crash the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport has added a new dimension to the investigation into the September 30 incident. Authorities are continuing to establish the extent of the planning, the co-pilot's motive and whether anyone else was involved.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.