UAE Details Alleged Flydubai Hijack Plot; Indian Captain Smit Machchhar Helped Prevent Disaster

DUBAI: UAE authorities have outlined what they describe as a planned suicide attack involving a Flydubai passenger aircraft, alleging that an Omani co-pilot intended to take control of the plane and crash it into the passenger terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.

Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi identified the 29-year-old suspect as Hammam Al Hammami.

In a statement released on Friday, he said investigators believed the alleged plan was influenced by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States.

According to the UAE state news agency WAM, the suspect allegedly made two earlier trips to Tel Aviv to familiarise himself with the flight route and airport before attempting to carry out the plan on September 30.

The incident involved Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was carrying Indian captain Smit Machchhar.

UAE investigators allege that the co-pilot attacked Machchhar with a crash axe inside the cockpit and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.

The situation was brought under control after the captain resisted and other people aboard the plane intervened.

A reserve pilot, a member of the cabin crew and several passengers reportedly helped restrain the suspect and assist the injured captain.

The reserve pilot subsequently helped regain control of the aircraft, which was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia and landed safely.

Investigators Examine Suspect’s Alleged Preparations

The UAE investigation suggests that the alleged operation may have involved planning.

Authorities say the suspect had travelled to Tel Aviv twice before the incident, apparently to familiarise himself with the route and the airport.

Investigators are examining these journeys as part of their effort to establish how the alleged plan developed and whether anyone else knew about it.

Al Shamsi said investigators had traced signs of the suspect’s alleged radicalisation to 2017, when he was studying in Australia.

According to accounts of the investigation, he had encountered extremist publications and online material that glorified terrorist organisations and suicide attacks.

Authorities allege that these influences contributed to the development of violent ideas.

The Attorney-General also said the suspect was influenced by the September 11 attacks and allegedly became interested in carrying out a similar operation using an aircraft.

Reports citing the investigation linked these ideas to his decision to pursue an aviation career. These claims have been presented by UAE authorities as part of the evidence under examination.

Aviation Employment and Australian Connections Under Scrutiny

The suspect’s professional background is also part of the investigation. According to the Attorney-General, he worked for Oman Air between 2020 and 2024 before undertaking training with Royal Air Maroc in 2025.

He subsequently joined Flydubai in January 2026, the statement said.

Royal Air Maroc reportedly confirmed that the suspect had completed three months of training with the airline in 2025 but that his employment application was rejected.

His previous work and training history, by themselves, do not establish involvement in any wrongdoing.

Investigators are also examining information about his contacts during his time in Melbourne.

The UAE statement said the suspect told investigators that he regularly attended a mosque affiliated with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology while studying in the Australian city.

Reports about the investigation referred to his alleged association with a centre known as “My Centre”.

According to claims attributed to the suspect, the centre was managed by a Lebanese man known as “Abu Hamza” and received support from an association described as linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

The information available does not independently establish that the people or organisations mentioned were involved in the alleged aviation plot.

Authorities have further alleged that the suspect prepared for the planned attack by increasing his exposure to material promoting terrorism and training in boxing with a private coach.

Investigators are continuing to examine the nature of these activities and whether they involved any assistance or connections beyond the suspect himself.

Captain’s Resistance and Swift Intervention Averted Disaster

According to the account released by UAE authorities, the attack began inside the cockpit while the aircraft was travelling towards Tel Aviv.

The suspect allegedly used a crash axe against Captain Smit Machchhar, who resisted the assault and attempted to seek assistance.

The presence of a reserve pilot aboard the aircraft proved important, according to the Attorney-General.

The pilot, who was assigned to the return flight, reportedly noticed the cockpit door opening and closing repeatedly in an unusual manner and went to investigate.

Once inside, he allegedly witnessed the assault on Machchhar and intervened with the assistance of a cabin crew member and several passengers.

Together, they helped the injured captain and restrained the suspect, according to the UAE account.

The reserve pilot then helped restore control of the aircraft.

The flight was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it made a safe landing.

The actions of the captain and those who intervened were central to preventing the alleged plan from being carried out, according to the authorities’ account.

Suspect Says He Acted Alone; Investigation Continues

Al Shamsi said the suspect provided a detailed confession in the presence of his lawyer and in accordance with the safeguards required by law.

According to the Attorney-General, the suspect claimed he had acted alone.

Investigators have not, however, closed the inquiry into possible outside involvement.

The Public Prosecution is reviewing recordings, technical reports, forensic findings and witness statements as authorities seek to establish the full circumstances of the incident.

The investigation is expected to clarify the alleged preparations, the sequence of events inside the cockpit and whether any other individuals had prior knowledge of or involvement in the plan.

Until the proceedings establish the facts, the allegations against the suspect and the reported connections under examination remain subject to the legal process.

With inputs from news agency reports.