The UAE Attorney General has released new details from the investigation into the flydubai flight incident, saying the flight’s Omani co-pilot intended to seize the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in a suicide attack. The suspect told investigators he acted alone, but prosecutors stressed that inquiries were continuing to verify his claim and identify any possible accomplices or connections.

UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said on Friday, October 9, that the Public Prosecution’s investigation into flight FZ1073 found that the aircraft’s 29-year-old Omani co-pilot had planned in advance to seize the plane and use it in a suicide attack. According to prosecutors, he intended to crash the aircraft into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport and inflict the maximum possible number of casualties.

UAE authorities did not name the suspect in their official statement, but Reuters previously identified him, citing informed sources, as Hammam Al Hammami, an Omani national.

Inspired by the September 11 attacks and two reconnaissance flights

According to prosecutors, an examination of the suspect’s ideological and professional background found signs of radicalisation dating back to 2017, when he was studying in Australia. Investigators said he was influenced by extremist writings and online content glorifying terrorist groups and suicide attacks, and gradually adopted views promoting violence and terrorism.

Prosecutors said he was also inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States and gradually developed the idea of carrying out a similar operation using an aircraft. According to the suspect’s confession, this objective was even linked to his decision to pursue a career in aviation.

The investigation also found that, before the September 30 incident, the suspect had flown the Tel Aviv route twice to familiarise himself with the flight path and Ben Gurion Airport. He began carrying out his plan on his third flight. This is the first time UAE authorities have officially confirmed that the earlier flights were part of his preparations for the attack.

Suspect admits acting alone as possible accomplices remain under investigation

The UAE Attorney General said the suspect, in the presence of his lawyer and with all legal procedures observed, provided a detailed account of his motives and the stages involved in planning and executing the plot. He confessed that he had acted alone and without the involvement of others.

However, prosecutors said the claim was not a final conclusion of the investigation and that inquiries were continuing to verify it and determine whether there were any accomplices or other connections.

The Public Prosecution’s latest statement made no reference to Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or any Iranian entities. The suspect’s confession that he acted alone supports the theory of an independent operation, but prosecutors have not yet definitively ruled out any foreign links.

Suspect’s Australian connections investigated

The suspect told investigators that while studying in Melbourne, he regularly attended a mosque affiliated with RMIT University, where he became acquainted with people connected to an organisation known as My Centre.

He claimed the centre was run by a Lebanese man known as Abu Hamza and was supported by an association linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. Prosecutors said these statements formed part of the suspect’s confession, but have not indicated that any independent evidence shows these individuals or organisations were involved in planning or directing the attack.

The suspect also said he increased his exposure to pro-terrorism propaganda to prepare himself physically and psychologically, while training under a private boxing coach.

flydubai recruitment reviewed; no warning signs of attack plot found

UAE prosecutors also examined the suspect’s recruitment by flydubai. According to their findings, he met the required professional and security standards when hired, provided a pilot’s licence and a certificate of good conduct, and passed the prescribed background checks. However, none of these procedures revealed his extremist views or his intention to carry out an attack.

According to the Public Prosecution’s statement, the suspect worked for Oman Air from 2020 to 2024, joined Royal Air Maroc in early 2025 and remained there for several months before joining flydubai in January 2026.

However, there is a significant discrepancy between sources regarding his record with the Moroccan airline. Royal Air Maroc previously told Reuters that the suspect had only completed a three-month training course with the airline in 2025 and that his employment application was rejected after the course ended.

How was the attack stopped?

According to the Public Prosecution’s official reconstruction, the suspect caught the captain off guard inside the cockpit on September 30 and attacked him with an emergency axe. The captain resisted and attempted to call for help.

One of the pilots aboard the aircraft to operate the return flight was near the cockpit when the incident occurred and noticed the cockpit door opening and closing unusually. He approached the cockpit and attempted to enter using the access code. After gaining entry, he saw the suspect attacking the captain.

The pilot intervened with the help of a cabin crew member and several passengers. They rescued the injured captain and restrained the suspect. The return-flight pilot and his co-pilot then took control of the aircraft, diverted it and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.

A forensic medical report found that the captain’s injuries were concentrated mainly around his head, a critical area where the wounds could have proved fatal. Prosecutors said the nature of the injuries was consistent with the use of an emergency axe and with statements given by the suspect, the captain and witnesses.

The flydubai aircraft descended by about 16,000 feet in 30 seconds during the incident. Reuters also reported, citing informed sources, that Saudi Arabia had launched an aviation safety investigation into the incident, separate from the UAE criminal inquiry.

UAE prosecutors said the examination of evidence, recordings from the incident and technical reports was continuing, while the possibility of accomplices or other connections remained under investigation. Further findings will be announced if necessary and in line with the progress of the inquiry.