The initial investigation in Israel into the attempted hijacking of a FlyDubai flight indicates, at this stage, the possibility that the co-pilot who planned to crash the flight acted alone.
In addition, according to a report on the American CBS network, sources familiar with the details of the investigation emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and that all avenues are continuing to be examined.
According to the report, the terrorist, Al-Hammam Al-Hammami, worked for a short period for Oman Air and began training as a pilot. They claim that surveillance by the Omani authorities revealed that he was surfing extremist websites, and as a result, the airline transferred him to an office position.
One source said that Al-Hammami resigned from his job and left the company in 2024. He later moved to Dubai and was hired by Fly Dubai without checking his background with the Omani authorities.
An investigation by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera has revealed new details about the attempted attack. Among other things, it was reported that the Omani co-pilot disconnected the autopilot during the flight, pushed the rudders forward with all his strength, and turned off both engines.
The plane lost about 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds.
Two Boeing 737 captains who analyzed videos said the cabin emergency lights came on at high altitude. The lights are activated when the plane loses main power and switches to battery power, which happens if the generators or engines are shut down.
The investigation examined whether the fuel switches had been moved from Run to Cut Off. The emergency code 7700 was transmitted by one of the pilots who was called to the cockpit, and about seven minutes later it was replaced by 7500, which means a suspected hijacking.
A source in the United Arab Emirates told CBS that the two other pilots who were on the FlyDubai flight and landed the plane were from New Zealand and South Africa.
