FlyDubai co-pilot planned to crash jet at Israel's main airport, sources say

The co-pilot who attacked his captain on FlyDubai flight FZ1073 planned to crash the jet into a Tel Aviv skyscraper or Ben Gurion Airport, a source with knowledge of the UAE investigation told Reuters. Israel has ordered a review of foreign airline security.

The plan: Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami planned a 9/11-style attack on the Sept. 30 Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, Reuters reported. He had planned a similar attack in July but dropped it because he was friends with a crew member. Two Israeli officials said he told UAE investigators he applied to FlyDubai after searching for airlines that fly to Tel Aviv, and planned the attack before he joined in February. Israeli media said he scouted Ben Gurion Airport in June.

Missed warnings: Oman had barred him from flying for Oman Air over his interest in radical ideology, sent him to a deradicalization program and moved him to a desk job, The Wall Street Journal reported. Oman did not widely share those concerns, and FlyDubai apparently did not contact Oman before hiring him, the Journal said. Australian police are also looking into his possible ties to Australia, where he studied about a decade ago.

Finger-pointing in Israel: The UAE shared the passenger and crew list, with nationalities, before the flight, and Israel raised no red flags, regional officials told AP. Netanyahu ordered a review of "all security aspects regarding foreign civil aviation to Israel." The Shin Bet security agency says the Transportation Ministry vets foreign flight lists. Transportation Minister Miri Regev says security agencies are responsible. "This is exactly what system collapse looks like," opposition leader Yair Golan wrote on X.

Other views: Reuters said it has seen no evidence that Iran was involved. An aviation security professor told AP that background checks have limits, especially across borders. Retired pilot Buzz Patterson told Fox News airlines need tougher crew vetting.

Possible penalty: Israel's Ynet, citing a senior Emirati source, said the UAE is expected to seek the death penalty. No charge or sentence has been announced.

Mon Oct 5 update. Details of the plan come from a source with knowledge of the UAE investigation and two Israeli officials who spoke to Reuters; the UAE has not released its findings. The co-pilot's name, Hamam al-Hammami, is from Reuters and other outlets; UAE officials have not publicly confirmed it. Reuters said it has seen no evidence of Iranian involvement. Passenger totals vary by outlet (174 to 182). The death-penalty report is from Israel's Ynet, citing an Emirati source; no charge or sentence has been announced.