Oman Pilot Allegedly Planned 9/11-Style Attack, Sources Say
Oman pilot accused of 9/11-style attack on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, sources reveal. Investigation underway in UAE.
POLICY WIRE — Dubai, United Arab Emirates — A pilot from Oman is under investigation for allegedly attempting a 9/11-style attack on a Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to multiple sources cited by NBC News.
The pilot, identified as al-Hammami by a Middle East diplomat and three agencies involved in the probe, was transferred from Saudi Arabia to UAE authorities for questioning after the incident. The aircraft was diverted to a Saudi airport following a sudden midair crisis last week, where it landed safely.
Emirati officials reported that the pilot attacked his co-pilot, Capt. Smit Machchhar, with a crash axe and tried to seize control of the plane. During the event, the jet dropped 14,000 feet in 29 seconds, causing chaos among the 174 mostly Israeli passengers aboard. Machchhar, an Indian pilot with 17 years of experience, described the attack in calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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Machchhar said he initially thought there was catastrophic damage to the plane, but later realized the danger came from the other pilot in the cockpit. He managed to open the cockpit door on the second attempt despite repeated blows. A video of his call with Netanyahu was released by the prime minister’s office.
The incident has raised concerns about missed security signals. According to the Wall Street Journal, al-Hammami had previously been banned from flying in Oman due to alleged radical ideological views. The question remains how an Omani citizen, from a country without diplomatic ties to Israel, was allowed to operate a flight carrying Israeli passengers to Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu has demanded a review of all security measures related to Israel’s civil aviation. Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President JD Vance highlighted the need to reevaluate procedures to prevent individuals deemed flight risks from operating aircraft.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
