Israeli sources said on Oct. 4 that Omani co-pilot Hamam Hammami told UAE
investigators he had planned to fly a Dubai-based carrier's aircraft directly
into Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion International Airport. The Sept. 30 incident began
when Hammami allegedly attacked the captain over Jordanian airspace; he told
authorities he intended to let the aircraft continue toward Ben-Gurion and
strike the terminal at a point when Israeli jets could not intercept. The
injured captain forced the cockpit door open and foiled the attempt, sources
said. Hammami said the plot predated his hiring: he researched carriers
operating flights to Tel Aviv, sought employment with them and was ultimately
hired by the Dubai airline.
