Omani co-pilot admits plotting to crash flydubai plane into Tel Aviv skyscraper

An Omani co-pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, told investigators he intended to crash a flydubai flight into a Tel Aviv skyscraper or Ben Gurion Airport, according to reports. The incident occurred on September 30, and the plane plunged 16,625 feet before crew and passengers intervened. Al-Hammami, 29, said he had planned the attack since July and was not afraid of death. He admitted to striking the Indian captain with an axe before attempting to seize control of the aircraft, which was carrying 182 people. He had joined flydubai in February after being rejected by other airlines. Investigations have revealed al-Hammami was removed from flight training at Oman Air in 2024 over radical views. Australia is probing his time as a student in Melbourne, where he reportedly visited extremist websites. All flydubai flights from the UAE to Israel have been suspended.