Israel prepared to shoot down a FlyDubai passenger jet after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain, sources told CBS News. The aircraft plunged about 14,000 feet before passengers and crew restrained the attacker and two off-duty pilots made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli jets were scrambled and a crisis committee convened; only the prime minister may authorize shooting down a civilian aircraft. Investigators say the attack appears to be a likely lone-wolf incident, and the co-pilot had previously been flagged as a security risk while training with Oman Air.
Israel Prepared To Shoot Down FlyDubai Plane After Alleged Cockpit Attack, Sources Say
FlyDubai (Jack Guez/Getty Images)
Israeli authorities were prepared to shoot down a FlyDubai passenger jet after an alleged attack in the cockpit, even though the aircraft carried more than 150 Israeli citizens, two Israeli sources told CBS News.
The flight, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv last week, was identified as Flight 1073. According to the sources, the co-pilot — named as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami — allegedly stabbed the captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, and attempted to crash the aircraft. The plane then plunged roughly 14,000 feet before control was re-established.
Onboard Response and Emergency Landing
Despite serious injuries, the captain managed to open the cockpit door during the incident, which allowed FlyDubai crew members and several passengers to enter and restrain the attacker. Two off-duty pilots who were on the flight took control of the aircraft and carried out an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Military Response
Sources told CBS News that Israel has long prepared for a 9/11-style scenario. When the jet lost altitude and radio contact with the cockpit could not be re-established, a pre-established emergency committee convened and a command center was set up. Fighter jets were scrambled and Israeli airspace was temporarily closed.
The jets were later called back after the aircraft — then about 400 miles from Israel — turned toward Saudi Arabia and Saudi jets were scrambled in response. Sources said that had Flight 1073 reached a defined proximity to Israeli territory, Israeli fighters would have entered Jordanian airspace to approach and visually inspect the cockpit and cabin. Under the protocol, a rogue passenger plane threatening high-value targets could be shot down, but only the prime minister may authorize such an order.
Investigation And Background
An Israeli official told CBS News that al-Hammami told interrogators in the United Arab Emirates he had planned the attack before joining FlyDubai and that he intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport. Israeli investigators currently treat the case as likely a lone-wolf attack, though the investigation remains ongoing and other possibilities are being examined.
ABC News reported that al-Hammami, 29, had previously been flagged as a security risk while training as a co-pilot with Oman Air in 2024 after extremist materials were found in his possession. He was reportedly grounded from flying for one year but continued working for the airline in an administrative role, according to senior intelligence and law enforcement officials cited by ABC.
Key facts: Flight 1073 plunged about 14,000 feet; passengers, crew and two off-duty pilots restrained the alleged attacker; the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk; Israel had scrambled jets and stood ready to shoot down the aircraft if it posed an imminent threat to high-value targets.
All facts above are drawn from CBS News and ABC reporting as cited by sources with direct knowledge of the incident. The situation remains under investigation.
Help us improve.
