By GlobalDeskNews Staff | October 5, 2026
How the September 30 Hijack Attempt Unfolded
Shocking new details have emerged about the September 30 flydubai hijacking attempt: Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, 29, planned to murder the captain mid-flight and crash the Boeing 737 into Tel Aviv skyscrapers — and tried to shut down both engines when his plan failed.
The axe attack
According to an investigation by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, citing Israeli intelligence, al-Hammami pretended to offer prayers inside the cockpit, then pulled out the emergency crash axe and attacked Captain Smit Machchhar from behind.
At first, the Indian captain thought he had been hit by a broken aircraft part. Within seconds he realized he was under attack — the blows did not stop. His head was severely bruised, his arm nearly severed, and he was losing blood fast.
The plan
Al-Hammami's plan was chillingly precise: kill the pilot quietly without attracting attention, take control of the aircraft, fly the scheduled route to Tel Aviv, then crash into the city's skyscrapers. The operation was designed to be so fast that Israeli fighter jets would have no time to scramble and intercept.
The 29-year-old, born to an Omani father and Syrian mother, had reportedly joined flydubai specifically because the airline operates routes to Israel.
16,000-foot dive
When passengers and crew fought back — the injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing two off-duty pilots and passengers to rush in and restrain al-Hammami — the co-pilot made a desperate last attempt.
He disconnected the autopilot, pushed the controls sharply forward, and tried to shut off both engines, sending the plane into a steep dive. The aircraft lost around 16,000 feet in less than a minute as he allegedly tried to bring it down in the Saudi desert.
The crew regained control and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. All 174 passengers and six crew members survived.
Aftermath
Israeli authorities are treating al-Hammami as a "lone wolf" who acted on his own initiative rather than on orders from any terror group, a source told The Jerusalem Post. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a review of security arrangements for international flights into Israel.
Key Takeaways
- Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, 29, attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency crash axe mid-flight on September 30.
- His plan was to kill the captain quietly, take control, and crash the Boeing 737 into Tel Aviv skyscrapers before Israeli fighter jets could scramble.
- When passengers and crew fought back, he disconnected the autopilot and tried to shut off both engines, sending the plane into a 16,000-foot dive in under a minute.
- The crew regained control and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia; all 174 passengers and six crew members survived.
- Israeli authorities are treating al-Hammami as a "lone wolf"; PM Netanyahu ordered a review of security for international flights into Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who tried to hijack the flydubai plane?
The suspect is Hammam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani co-pilot born to an Omani father and Syrian mother. He reportedly joined flydubai specifically because the airline operates routes to Israel. Israeli authorities are treating him as a 'lone wolf' who acted on his own initiative rather than on orders from any terror group, a source told The Jerusalem Post.
What happened during the attack?
Al-Hammami pretended to offer prayers inside the cockpit, then pulled out the emergency crash axe and attacked Captain Smit Machchhar from behind. The captain first thought he had been hit by a broken aircraft part, but within seconds realized he was under attack. His head was severely bruised, his arm nearly severed, and he was losing blood fast.
What was the co-pilot's plan?
Al-Hammami's plan was to kill the pilot quietly without attracting attention, take control of the aircraft, fly the scheduled route to Tel Aviv, then crash into the city's skyscrapers. The operation was designed to be so fast that Israeli fighter jets would have no time to scramble and intercept the plane before impact.
How did the plane lose 16,000 feet?
After the injured captain opened the cockpit door and two off-duty pilots and passengers rushed in to restrain al-Hammami, the co-pilot made a desperate last attempt. He disconnected the autopilot, pushed the controls sharply forward, and tried to shut off both engines, sending the aircraft into a steep dive that lost around 16,000 feet in less than a minute.
Did anyone survive?
Yes. The crew regained control and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. All 174 passengers and six crew members survived the ordeal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since ordered a review of security arrangements for international flights into Israel following the failed hijacking.
Was it a terrorist group attack?
Israeli authorities are treating al-Hammami as a 'lone wolf' who acted on his own initiative rather than on orders from any terror group, a source told The Jerusalem Post. His background — born to an Omani father and Syrian mother — and his reported decision to join flydubai because it flies to Israel suggest the plot was personally motivated.
Sources
- The Jerusalem Post – Flydubai hijacker planned to crash into Tel Aviv skyscraper (Oct 4, 2026)
- Hindustan Times – Omani co-pilot planned to crash flydubai jet (Oct 4, 2026)
- NDTV – Co-pilot may have shut off flydubai plane's engines (Oct 4, 2026)
- India TV – Co-pilot tried to crash plane in Saudi desert (Oct 5, 2026)