Flydubai pilot attempted hijack, aimed to crash into Tel Aviv airport

During a Flydubai flight to Israel, pilot Hamam al-Hammami used a crash axe to assault captain Smit Machchhar in an effort to take over the aircraft and crash it into Ben-Gurion Airport, where he had previously scouted the site. He also contemplated striking an Azrieli Tower close to the Israeli military headquarters. Crew members and passengers engaged him, stopping the plane from descending 14,000 ft in 29 seconds.

Interrogators learned that al-Hammami had plotted the hijack before being hired by Flydubai and had applied to several other carriers. He had traveled to the airport multiple times, most recently in July, to collect information. Israeli officials say his social media showed jihadist radicalisation, while UAE investigators are determining if he acted as a lone wolf or with a network. The suspect has been transferred to the UAE and is reportedly cooperating.