FlyDubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into airport, shouldn't have been cleared to fly to Israel, sources say
Updated on: October 5, 2026 / 12:47 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- The Omani co-pilot, Hamam al Hamami, allegedly planned to hijack a FlyDubai flight and crash it into Israel's Ben Gurion Airport.
- Security failures, including a lack of proper vetting, may have allowed him to fly to Israel despite Oman not having diplomatic relations with the country.
- Al Hamami was previously removed from pilot duties at Oman Air and placed on desk duty due to visiting radical websites.
- FlyDubai hired al Hamami without vetting him with Oman's government.
- The flight captain fought off the co-pilot, and other passengers and pilots regained control of the aircraft, making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- Israel's security protocols and laws requiring advance submission of flight crew lists are being reviewed.
- There is speculation that al Hamami may have dual citizenship, which could explain his ability to fly to Israel.
- Former aviation security officials believe al Hamami should have been flagged based on his Omani nationality alone.