The flydubai Flight FZ1073 attack case has produced a critical new confession. Reuters reported October 5, citing two Israeli officials with knowledge of the probe, that the co-pilot who attacked his captain with an emergency crash axe told UAE interrogators he had planned the attack before being hired — he searched for airlines that fly to Tel Aviv, then applied to the Dubai state-owned carrier. The UAE prosecutor general has designated the incident a "terrorist attack."
A more chilling detail comes from a third source briefed on the UAE investigation: the co-pilot had operated a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight earlier this year and intended to hijack and crash it then, but opted not to. He is believed to have known someone onboard that flight, which may explain why he changed his mind. All sources spoke on condition of anonymity; UAE and Israeli authorities and flydubai did not respond to requests for comment.
According to the source, the co-pilot's plan for last Wednesday's (September 30) FZ1073 was to crash it into Ben-Gurion airport near Tel Aviv — a classic 9/11-style attack. On the day, the plane suddenly stalled and plunged as it neared Israel, shedding some 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. The bloodied captain managed to open the cockpit security door; passengers and crew forced their way in and subdued the attacker as he sabotaged the aircraft's systems, and relief pilots helped divert the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Two sources identified the co-pilot as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national; Israeli officials have confirmed only his Omani nationality without naming him, and UAE authorities and flydubai have never publicly disclosed his identity. Reuters said it could not reach the detained man for comment. The UAE has announced no formal charges, it is unclear whether he has legal counsel, and Oman has not commented. As this site reported on September 30, the "Omani co-pilot" account originated in a CNN-cited Israeli briefing and was never confirmed by the airline — a week on, his identity still lacks official confirmation.
The third source added that Israel is being continuously updated on the investigation from the UAE. The case is led by the UAE; the attacker was arrested by Saudi authorities after the Tabuk landing. If the "planned before hiring" confession holds, it points to a major hole in airline vetting — an applicant intent on carrying out an attack passed every screen required to become a commercial co-pilot.
The two biggest blanks: when the UAE will bring formal charges and on what counts, and the co-pilot's motive — why Tel Aviv, and whether anyone directed him. As interrogations continue, the details Israeli officials are feeding Reuters are likely only the first pieces of the puzzle.