Flydubai copilot planned to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport, sources say

A Flydubai copilot who stabbed his captain on Wednesday was likely planning to crash the plane into Tel Aviv's international airport, according to Israeli sources briefed on the police investigation. The sources also said the Omani citizen had earlier this year considered hijacking a flight to Tel Aviv but backed down. The copilot, identified by Reuters as Hammam al-Hammami, attacked the pilot with an emergency axe on flight FZ1073. The wounded captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. Two off-duty pilots took control and landed the plane in Saudi Arabia with 182 people aboard. The man, previously suspended from Oman Air over extremist material, had studied in Australia from 2015 to 2017 and also spent time in New Zealand, where authorities are investigating his activities. The UAE investigation remains in early stages, with sources describing him as likely a lone wolf.