Flydubai pilot accused of planning attack on Ben Gurion Airport
A pilot accused of attacking a colleague and attempting to seize control of a Flydubai flight reportedly told UAE investigators he intended to crash near Ben Gurion Airport or another building. Authorities have not officially released his identity.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Based on two sources with available article excerpts. Source-linked claims are not independent confirmation.
What happened
A Middle Eastern official told NBC News that the pilot had planned to evade Israel’s defenses and crash into Ben Gurion Airport or another building. The account was attributed to the official, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai attacker had planned 9/11-style attack: NBC News source – NBC Connecticutnbcconnecticut.com · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 2:18 PM UTC
The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the midair incident occurred. It was diverted to Saudi Arabia, after which the suspect was transferred to the United Arab Emirates for questioning. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai attacker had planned 9/11-style attack: NBC News source – NBC Connecticutnbcconnecticut.com · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 2:18 PM UTC
Emirati authorities said on Saturday that the pilot attacked fellow pilot Capt. Smit Machchhar with a crash ax and tried to take control of the aircraft’s flight controls. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai attacker had planned 9/11-style attack: NBC News source – NBC Connecticutnbcconnecticut.com · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 2:18 PM UTC
NBC News identified the suspect through multiple sources from three agencies briefed on the investigation and a regional diplomat, but stated that Emirati authorities had not officially confirmed his identity. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai attacker had planned 9/11-style attack: NBC News source – NBC Connecticutnbcconnecticut.com · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 2:18 PM UTC
Separate reporting said the suspect had trained in Britain and received a New Zealand student visa for flight training from November 2018 to May 2019. New Zealand police said the training was for a UK-based company that no longer operates there. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai hijack suspect pilot 'learned to fly in UK' as bombshell details emergeexpress.co.uk · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 11:30 PM UTC
Context from the sources
The reported attack plan concerns a passenger flight bound for Israel and an intended target near the country’s main airport, making the case relevant to aviation security beyond the aircraft itself. [1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
2 source links · 2 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] Flydubai attacker had planned 9/11-style attack: NBC News source – NBC Connecticutnbcconnecticut.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3, detail 4
- [2] Flydubai hijack suspect pilot 'learned to fly in UK' as bombshell details emergeexpress.co.ukReferenced for: detail 5
What this could mean for you
Passengers could encounter tighter aviation-security procedures or operational scrutiny linked to the investigation.
An alleged cockpit attack can prompt airlines and regulators to review access controls and crew-security protocols.
Reported basis: [1] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Investigators or aviation authorities identify security weaknesses requiring changes.
Possible time frame: weeks, if those conditions hold.
Security attention could increase around airports and flights connected to Israel.
The reported alleged plan identified Ben Gurion Airport or another building as a possible target.
Reported basis: [1] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Authorities assess the account as credible and adjust protective measures.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Investigators corroborate the alleged plan and identify broader security failures.
Authorities find evidence of additional threats linked to the incident.
Pressure eases if…
The investigation establishes that the alleged target was not part of a wider plan.
Authorities complete the inquiry without identifying additional threats.
Still unclear
The full motive, the extent of the suspect’s planning and whether the alleged intended target can be independently verified remain unclear.
The official identity of the suspect and the investigation’s eventual charges were not established.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (2)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
The suspect is currently being questioned by investigators in the United Arab Emirates. The pilot who tried to bring down an Israel-bound flight had been…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Hamam al-Hammami, Flydubai hijack suspect, undertook his pilot training in the UK The suspected Flydubai hijacker trained to become a pilot in Britain, according to…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.