The Zioneer reports new details from the Israeli investigation into the Flydubai attempted hijacking, concluding the co-pilot acted alone. According to a report by Corriere Della Sera, he shut off both engines, disengaged the autopilot, pushed the yoke forward, and intended to crash into a downtown Tel Aviv skyscraper. The aircraft transmitted emergency codes 7700 and 7500 during the incident.
New details from the Israeli investigation into the September 30 Flydubai attempted hijacking, published by the Italian daily Corriere Della Sera and cited by Israeli sources at 15:39 Jerusalem, reveal that co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami shut off both engines, disengaged the autopilot, and pushed the yoke forward, causing the aircraft to lose approximately 16,000 feet in 30 seconds. Investigators are examining whether fuel switches were moved from Run to Cut Off. The aircraft transmitted emergency code 7700, later replaced by code 7500, the hijacking signal. The findings strengthen the conclusion that the co-pilot acted alone.
The Zioneer reported at 14:41 Jerusalem that CBS quoted Israeli investigators in Dubai assessing the co-pilot acted as a lone attacker. At 14:52, The Zioneer reported that the Israeli investigation concluded the co-pilot shut off the engines. At 15:09, The Zioneer reported that the initial Israeli investigation indicated the co-pilot likely acted as a lone wolf.
As The Zioneer reported on September 30, the incident began when al-Hammami attacked the captain with an emergency axe. Israeli passengers intervened and subdued the attacker, and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Saudi, Jordanian, and Israeli fighter jets were scrambled in response. The co-pilot has reportedly confessed to investigators his intent to crash the plane in Israel, as The Zioneer reported earlier today. An Israeli investigation team arrived in the UAE to question the co-pilot, as The Zioneer reported on October 3.
The investigation continues, with authorities examining the co-pilot's digital footprint and prior employment history. The exact intended target remains under investigation.
6 developments
- Strongi24News: Flydubai workers say airline hired Omani pilot without background check despite red flags from Oman Air
- DevelopingBen-Gvir: Israel Should Seek Extradition of Flydubai Co-Pilot
- ConfirmedFlydubai co-pilot reportedly targeted Tel Aviv-bound flights months before attack, sought airlines flying to Israel
- ConfirmedIsraeli source: co-pilot acted as lone wolf, working assumption unchanged
Source and signal
- Open-source intake