The Omani co-pilot who attacked the captain aboard a flydubai flight on September 30 intended to hijack the aircraft from Dubai to Tel Aviv and crash it into the terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in a suicide operation, the United Arab Emirates' attorney general stated on Friday. The official noted that this marked the co-pilot Hammam Al Hamali's third journey to Tel Aviv, having completed two prior trips to prepare for the strike.

Prosecutors believe the scheme was inspired by the September 11 attacks in the United States. The plot was thwarted when Indian captain Smit Machchhar fought off the co-pilot and overpowered him inside the cockpit using an emergency axe, allowing the flight to make a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia with all passengers unharmed.

UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated that the investigation confirmed the 29-year-old suspect prepared beforehand, taking two earlier flights to Tel Aviv to study the route and airport layout. He attempted to execute the plan on his third flight, marking the most detailed official disclosure regarding the motive, preparations, and timeline of the mid-air event.

Prosecutors reported that the co-pilot confessed to planning and executing the assault by himself, though investigators continue to check for potential accomplices. The findings have raised questions concerning how the individual cleared the airline's security and hiring evaluations, but the attorney general noted that reviewed protocols showed no warning signs of extremist ideologies or violent intentions.

Investigators traced the suspect's radicalization back to 2017 during his studies in Australia, where Al Shamsi said he grew influenced by extremist literature and digital propaganda glorifying terrorist groups and suicide missions. Prosecutors stated he subsequently conditioned himself physically and mentally, including boxing training with a private coach.

Authorities are continuing to analyze digital data, audio recordings, and technical reports alongside the suspect's employment history. The attorney general mentioned that the suspect had fulfilled all professional and security criteria for flydubai, possessing a valid pilot licence, a clean conduct certificate, and passing mandatory screenings.

According to Reuters, the suspect previously flew for multiple carriers across different nations, including Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc, prior to joining flydubai in January 2026. Flydubai was not immediately available for comment, and the UAE prosecution did not allege any misconduct by the airline.

The aircraft was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv with mostly Israeli passengers when the co-pilot assaulted the captain over Saudi Arabia, causing the plane to drop roughly 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds. The captain resisted and tried to call for assistance while an off-duty pilot noticed unusual activity at the cockpit door and used the access code to enter.

Upon entering, the off-duty pilot witnessed the attack and intervened alongside a crew member and several passengers to rescue the wounded captain and tie down the suspect. The flight crew for the return journey subsequently took control, diverted the plane, and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where authorities have launched an independent safety inquiry.