Flydubai Attack: Omani Co-Pilot Cites Gaza as Motive

The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai passenger aircraft and attempting to take control of the plane reportedly told investigators that he acted to avenge Gaza and wanted to die as a martyr. The reported statement has become a key part of an investigation examining his background, communications, Travel history and possible contacts.

Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot at the centre of the investigation, allegedly made the statement during questioning by Emirati investigators. According to Israeli online news portal Mako, he said he carried out the attack as revenge for Gaza and wanted to die as a martyr.

The alleged confession has added a possible ideological motive to an incident that placed more than 170 passengers at serious risk during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Authorities are now trying to establish whether al-Hammami acted independently or whether another individual or organisation played a role in the alleged plot.

Omani Co-Pilot Reportedly Cites Gaza as Motive

According to the Mako report, al-Hammami told investigators: “I did this as revenge for Gaza. I wanted to die as a martyr.” The statement, if accurately reported, provides investigators with an alleged explanation for his actions aboard the flight.

The reported motive is being examined alongside information about al-Hammami’s professional history and online activity. Reports have said that he was removed from Oman’s national airline last year amid concerns about extremist views.

CNN also reported that Social Media accounts in his name later posted videos from the cockpits of Israeli aircraft and featured figures associated with Al-Qaida. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously said that the co-pilot was believed to have undergone what he described as “Islamist radical indoctrination.”

These reports are now being assessed as part of the wider investigation into what led to the alleged attack. Authorities are seeking evidence that can distinguish between the co-pilot’s reported beliefs, his individual actions and any possible external involvement.

What Happened on Flydubai Flight 1073

More than 170 passengers, most of them reportedly Israelis, were aboard flydubai Flight 1073 on September 30 when al-Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar. The incident occurred less than an hour before the aircraft was due to land.

According to flight-tracking data cited in reports, the aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet within a matter of seconds during the incident. The sudden descent illustrated the seriousness of the situation inside the aircraft.

Captain Machchhar reportedly fought off the attack and managed to unlock the cockpit door. This allowed passengers to see what was happening and intervene.

Passengers helped restrain al-Hammami, while off-duty pilots travelling on the aircraft took over the flight controls. Their intervention helped prevent the aircraft from being brought down and allowed the flight to remain under control during the emergency.

The incident therefore involved several layers of danger at once: an alleged physical assault on the captain, an attempt to interfere with aircraft control and the potential loss of control of a passenger aircraft approaching its destination.

UAE Calls the Incident a Terrorist Attack

The United Arab Emirates, which is leading the investigation, said the co-pilot attacked the captain with the crash axe inside the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft in what authorities described as a terrorist attack.

The classification has placed the incident within a wider security investigation rather than treating it solely as an aviation emergency or an assault between crew members.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that al-Hammami had allegedly planned to secretly kill Captain Machchhar, shut down the aircraft’s engines and crash the plane into a building in Tel Aviv.

If investigators confirm that such a plan existed, it would indicate that the alleged attack involved preparation rather than being an entirely spontaneous act. Authorities are therefore examining evidence that could establish when the plan was formed and whether preparations were made before the flight.

Reports Point to an Earlier Attack Plan

Israeli media have also reported that al-Hammami had considered carrying out an attack in July but abandoned the plan at the last moment because he was friends with a member of the crew.

The report could become significant as investigators reconstruct the timeline leading to the September 30 incident. An earlier alleged plan could provide clues about whether al-Hammami had been searching for an opportunity to carry out an attack or whether his actions were specifically connected to the later flight.

However, claims about an earlier plan remain part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities will need to establish them through evidence rather than relying solely on reports or allegations.

Cabin Crew Questioned by Emirati Investigators

Authorities in the UAE have questioned the cabin crew WHO were aboard the aircraft. According to the Mako report, Emirati investigators have ruled out the flight attendants’ involvement in the alleged plot.

The crew members were reportedly confused by the rapidly developing emergency but did not assist al-Hammami in his alleged attempt to take control of the aircraft.

The finding removes one possible area of suspicion from the investigation, but major questions remain about the co-pilot’s activities before the flight and whether anyone outside the aircraft was connected to the alleged attack.

Investigators are consequently focusing on al-Hammami’s communications, movements, contacts and online activity to determine whether there are signs of coordination.

Did Al-Hammami Act Alone?

Al-Hammami has reportedly indicated that he acted alone. Israeli authorities, however, are examining whether he was directed, recruited or assisted by another party.

This distinction is central to the investigation. If evidence establishes that the co-pilot acted independently, authorities will need to understand how his alleged radicalisation and planning developed. If investigators discover communication or operational links with others, the case could point to a broader network or external involvement.

Reports so far indicate that investigators have found no evidence of known ties between al-Hammami and Iran. Authorities are nevertheless continuing to examine his contacts and travel history rather than drawing conclusions before the investigation is complete.

The investigation is therefore looking beyond the reported confession. A suspect’s statement can provide investigators with a possible motive, but electronic records, travel information and communications can help determine whether the account is consistent with other evidence.

Phone Could Provide Clues About the Alleged Plot

Investigators are examining al-Hammami’s phone for information about his background, intentions and contacts. The device could potentially help authorities reconstruct his activities before the flight and establish whether he communicated with anyone about the alleged attack.

Digital evidence may also help investigators examine the timeline of the alleged planning. Messages, contacts and other information could provide clues about whether the attack was discussed in advance or whether another person was aware of his intentions.

Authorities are also examining his foreign travel. According to reports, al-Hammami had visited several countries considered hostile to Israel in recent years.

At an Israeli cabinet meeting on Sunday, a Mossad representative reportedly briefed ministers about the investigation. Two sources who attended the meeting said the representative told ministers that investigators had identified several countries al-Hammami had visited.

Travel history by itself does not establish involvement in terrorism or prove contact with a particular organisation. Investigators will need to establish the purpose of those journeys and determine whether they have any connection to the alleged plot.

Shin Bet Participates in the Investigation

Israel’s Shin Bet counterintelligence agency is participating in the investigation and has reportedly questioned al-Hammami as authorities seek to determine whether he acted alone.

The involvement of Shin Bet reflects the wider security implications of an alleged attack involving an aircraft carrying a large number of Israeli passengers and travelling toward Tel Aviv.

A Mossad representative has also briefed Israeli cabinet ministers on developments in the investigation. The focus of those briefings reportedly includes al-Hammami’s background, travel and possible connections.

The investigation is therefore extending beyond the immediate circumstances inside the cockpit. Authorities are examining both the aviation aspects of the incident and the possibility that it involved an organised terrorist plot.

Questions About Al-Hammami’s Background

Al-Hammami’s previous employment and reported online activity are likely to remain important areas of inquiry. Reports that he was removed from Oman’s national airline amid concerns about extremist views have raised questions about whether warning signs existed before the alleged attack.

The reported social media activity is also being examined. CNN reported that accounts in his name posted cockpit videos involving Israeli aircraft and featured Al-Qaida figures.

Investigators will need to establish whether those accounts genuinely belonged to al-Hammami, how the material related to his beliefs and whether the activity was connected to the alleged plan.

These questions are particularly important because the investigation is attempting to establish a chain between the co-pilot’s reported ideology and his actions aboard Flight 1073. A stated motive does not necessarily explain the full process through which an attack was planned and carried out.

Why the Case Raises Aviation Security Concerns

The incident has also highlighted the security challenge posed by an alleged threat originating from within an aircraft’s crew. Unlike an external attempt to enter a cockpit, a crew member already has legitimate access to sensitive areas of the aircraft.

The reported sequence of events shows how quickly such an incident can become dangerous. An alleged attack on the captain occurred while the aircraft was in flight, followed by an attempt to interfere with control of the plane.

The response from the captain, passengers and off-duty pilots became critical to preventing the aircraft from being lost. Their actions allowed control of the aircraft to be maintained while the alleged attacker was restrained.

For investigators, understanding exactly how the emergency unfolded will be important. The findings could help clarify how the aircraft remained under control and how the people aboard responded to the cockpit attack.

What Investigators Are Trying to Establish

The next phase of the investigation is focused on establishing whether al-Hammami’s reported confession accurately describes his motive and whether his actions were independently planned.

Authorities are examining his phone, travel history, contacts and online activity. They are also reviewing reports about his previous employment and alleged earlier plans to carry out an attack.

Another major question is whether he received instructions, encouragement or assistance from another person or organisation. His reported claim that he acted alone will be compared with the available evidence.

Investigators are also expected to examine whether the reported travel to countries hostile to Israel has any meaningful connection to the alleged plot. The significance of those journeys will depend on evidence concerning where he went, whom he met and what activities took place.

At this stage, it remains important to distinguish between confirmed details of the flight incident, statements attributed to al-Hammami and claims reported by media outlets. The investigation is ongoing, and some of the allegations surrounding his background and planning have yet to be fully established.

Flydubai Attack Investigation Enters Critical Phase

The immediate crisis aboard Flight 1073 ended after the captain, passengers and off-duty pilots prevented the alleged attacker from taking control of the aircraft. The investigation is now focused on understanding why the attack happened and whether it involved anyone else.

Al-Hammami’s reported statement about Gaza and martyrdom has given investigators a possible motive, but the broader circumstances remain under examination. His phone, travel history, contacts and previous activities could determine whether the alleged attack was the act of a lone individual or part of a wider effort.

The investigation will also have to establish the credibility of reports concerning his alleged extremist views, earlier planning and international travel. Those findings will be important in determining the full sequence of events leading to the cockpit attack.

For now, the central unanswered question remains whether the Omani co-pilot acted entirely on his own. The evidence being examined by Emirati and Israeli authorities is expected to provide a clearer picture of his motivations, preparations and possible connections.