The New York Times reports that the pilot involved in the emergency landing of a Flydubai flight to Saudi Arabia acted alone and had no connection to Iran. The report contradicts earlier speculation of possible Iranian involvement. The pilot's identity and motive remain under investigation.
The New York Times reported Sunday that the Omani co-pilot of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 acted alone and had no ties to Iran, citing unnamed sources. The report, published at 16:28 Jerusalem, aligns with the Israeli assessment that has strengthened throughout the day.
The investigation into the attempted crash began at 14:40, when CBS reported that Israeli investigators in Dubai assessed that the co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, had acted as a lone attacker. By 14:50, Israeli media reported that the investigation suspected the co-pilot turned off both engines during the incident. The Times of Israel followed at 15:08, stating the initial Israeli investigation indicated a lone wolf. At 15:39, further details emerged from a Corriere Della Sera report: the co-pilot disconnected the autopilot, pushed the yoke forward, and shut off the engines, causing the aircraft to lose 16,000 feet in 30 seconds. The emergency codes 7700 and 7500 were transmitted. By 16:17, Israeli assessments that the co-pilot acted alone were described as strengthening.
As The Zioneer reported on September 30, Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a reported cockpit struggle. Saudi, Jordanian, and Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled during the incident.
The co-pilot's identity and motive remain under investigation. The New York Times report ruled out Iranian involvement, but no official statement has been released by Flydubai or Israeli authorities.
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