Attempted flight attack on Israel-bound plane uncovered
The pilot who attempted to crash an Israel-bound flight had reportedly planned a 9/11-style attack by targeting Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, a Middle Eastern official has disclosed, reports BritPanorama.
Identified as Hamman al Hamami, the pilot allegedly expressed intent to bypass Israeli defenses and execute a crash into the airport or another nearby building, according to the official, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the investigation.
Al Hamami, an Omani citizen, is currently being interrogated in the United Arab Emirates after being diverted there from Saudi Arabia. This followed a dramatic incident on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where he was apprehended after attacking his co-pilot.
During the flight, al Hamami reportedly assaulted Capt. Smit Machchhar with an axe in a bid to gain control of the aircraft. The passenger jet, which was carrying 174 mainly Israeli passengers, descended nearly 14,000 feet in a matter of seconds, causing widespread panic among those onboard.
Machchhar, an experienced pilot with 17 years of flying experience, described in a call with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he initially thought al Hamami’s request to pray was routine for a Muslim pilot. However, he soon felt a violent blow to the head, leading to a state of confusion and desperation as the plane plummeted.
After a harrowing struggle, Machchhar managed to breach the cockpit door on his second attempt, noting that he “gave everything” to regain control. He asserted that his colleagues on the ground were ready to assist upon his successful exit from the cockpit.
Attention has now turned to potential security oversights prior to the flight. Reports from The Wall Street Journal indicate that al Hamami had previously been prohibited from flying by Oman due to concerns regarding his radical ideological views.
There are lingering questions about how a pilot from Oman, which lacks diplomatic ties with Israel, was allowed to operate a flight carrying Israeli passengers. Under Israeli law, airlines are mandated to provide details about individuals on board, including crew and passenger names, 48 hours before departure.
In response to the event, Netanyahu has instructed the head of the National Security Council to initiate a comprehensive review of security protocols related to Israel’s civil aviation sector, while U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, echoed concerns about potential security vulnerabilities.
As investigations continue, the implications of this incident on international aviation security remain significant. The need for strict oversight in airline operations is becoming increasingly apparent.
