UAE said co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami launched a "terrorist attack" using the cockpit’s crash axe and tried to take control of the sharply descending aircraft.

Did it to avenge Gaza: Omani co-pilot spills motive behind flydubai attack

I did it to avenge Gaza: Omani co-pilot spills motive behind flydubai attack

by · India Today

The Omani co-pilot who attacked the captain of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and attempting to crash the aircraft reportedly told investigators he carried out the attack to avenge Gaza, according to Israeli online news portal Mako.

"I did this as revenge for Gaza. I wanted to die as a martyr," Hamam al-Hammami allegedly told Emirati investigators during questioning.

More than 170 passengers, mostly Israelis, were aboard flydubai Flight 1073 on September 30 when al-Hammami attacked Captain Smit Machchhar less than an hour before the flight was due to land. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet in a matter of seconds.

Capt Machchhar fought off the attack and managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers to see what was happening and intervene. The passengers helped take down al-Hammami, while off-duty pilots onboard took over the flight controls, thereby averting a catastrophic crash.

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