Israeli inquiry says Dubai Airlines co-pilot acted alone in cockpit attack
In short
Israeli media reported on October 4 that a preliminary Israeli investigation finds the co-pilot who attacked the captain of a Dubai Airlines flight acted alone, as a “lone wolf”. The incident occurred on September 30 on flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when the co-pilot is suspected of stabbing the captain and causing a sharp descent before crew and passengers subdued him. Reports identify the co-pilot as Hamam Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national who allegedly planned to kill the captain and fly the aircraft into a skyscraper in Tel Aviv.
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Israeli media reported on October 4 that a preliminary Israeli investigation shows the co-pilot who attacked the captain in the cockpit of a Dubai Airlines passenger aircraft acted alone, describing him as a “lone wolf” attacker. According to Israel's Channel 12, cited in the reports, Israeli security agencies began investigating immediately after the incident and the investigation is still under way. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The incident took place on September 30 on Dubai Airlines flight FZ1073, flying from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv. According to Emirati sources cited by China News Service, the co-pilot is suspected of stabbing the captain inside the cockpit, causing the aircraft to descend sharply. Other crew members and passengers subdued the attacker, after which the aircraft was brought back under control; it was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. [ 3 ]
The reports identify the co-pilot as Hamam Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani man, and say he planned to kill the captain and fly the aircraft into a skyscraper in Tel Aviv. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The account of the attacker's identity and intentions is attributed to unnamed sources and media reports rather than to a named authority, and the documents do not say what charges, if any, he faces or where he is now. The documents also give no motive or any organisational link, beyond the investigators' assessment that he acted alone. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The case concerns an attack aboard a commercial flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv, and the reports say the Israeli investigation is still under way, so the finding that the attacker acted alone is preliminary. Because the details come mainly from unnamed Israeli sources and media, the picture of what happened and why remains attributed rather than officially settled.
Key facts
- Israeli media reported on October 4 that a preliminary Israeli investigation shows the co-pilot who attacked the captain in the cockpit acted alone, described by investigators as a “lone wolf” operation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Israel's security agencies opened an investigation immediately after the incident and it is still under way, according to people cited by Israel's Channel 12. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The incident took place on September 30 on Dubai Airlines flight FZ1073 flying from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, when the co-pilot is suspected of stabbing the captain in the cockpit and causing the aircraft to descend sharply. [ 3 ]
- Crew members and passengers subdued the attacker, the aircraft was brought back under control, diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. [ 3 ]
- Reports identify the co-pilot as Hamam Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani man. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The reports say he planned to kill the captain and fly the plane into a skyscraper in Tel Aviv. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A preliminary Israeli investigation finds the co-pilot acted alone, in what investigators called a “lone wolf” attack. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The Israeli investigation was started immediately after the incident and is still ongoing. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The co-pilot is identified in reports as Hamam Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The reports say he intended to kill the captain and crash the aircraft into a skyscraper in Tel Aviv. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The September 30 incident on Dubai Airlines flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv involved the co-pilot stabbing the captain and a sudden descent, before crew and passengers subdued him and the aircraft landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia after being diverted. [ 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the co-pilot has been charged, where he is being held, or what his current legal status is. None of the documents state his status after he was subdued or any legal proceedings.
- The attacker's motive and whether any organisation was involved beyond the finding that he acted alone. The documents say investigators consider it a lone-wolf attack but give no motive or organisational link.
- The identity and nationality details of the co-pilot rest on unnamed sources and media reports rather than an official statement. CLS, China News Service and Jiemian attribute the name and age to “messages”/media reports, not to a named authority.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- September 30 (no time given): a security incident occurs on Dubai Airlines flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the co-pilot is suspected of stabbing the captain in the cockpit, causing a sudden sharp descent. Crew and passengers subdue the attacker and the aircraft is brought back under control, diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. [ 3 ]
- Yicai reports, citing Israeli media, that the preliminary investigation shows the attacker acted alone. [ 1 ]
- CLS reports Israel's Channel 12 saying security agencies opened an investigation immediately after the incident and it is continuing, with investigators considering the co-pilot a “lone wolf”. [ 2 ]
- China News Service publishes its account, including the September 30 sequence and the diversion to Tabuk. [ 3 ]
- Jiemian publishes its report, citing CCTV News. [ 4 ]