Investigators say Flydubai co-pilot intended to crash plane in Tel Aviv
publishers 133articles 234first reported 30 Sep, 22:23 UTCdeveloping since 1 Oct · 22 editionstop 25 #3
Investigators believe the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 intended to crash the aircraft into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, according to officials and people briefed on the inquiry cited by Reuters and NPR.
The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew on September 30 when the co-pilot allegedly attacked and wounded Capt. Smit Machchhar with an emergency crash axe and tried to seize control. The aircraft descended rapidly during the struggle before passengers and crew subdued the attacker. A reserve pilot travelling aboard the plane took control and landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Everyone aboard was accounted for.
The United Arab Emirates has called the incident an attempted terrorist attack and is leading the investigation with Israeli participation. The co-pilot and captain were subsequently transferred to the UAE. Multiple reports have identified the suspect as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, although Emirati authorities and Flydubai have not publicly confirmed his identity.
Anonymous officials told Reuters that the co-pilot said he had planned the attack before joining Flydubai and had considered crashing an earlier Tel Aviv flight but abandoned that plan. NPR reported that investigators believe he probably acted alone. Authorities have not publicly announced a motive or formal charges.
The inquiry is also examining how the co-pilot was cleared to fly. Sources cited by AP and other outlets said Oman Air had previously barred him from flying over concerns about alleged extremist views before moving him to an administrative role. Australian police and intelligence agencies are separately investigating his links to Australia, where he reportedly studied between 2015 and 2017.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 7 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 98 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 133
- Source articles
- 234
- Given to the writer
- 8, 7 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 98 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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