New Delhi: The flydubai co-pilot, who is accused of attacking his captain during a flight to Tel Aviv, had allegedly planned the operation before he joined the airline, according to Israeli media reports.
Al-Hammami told investigators that his plan existed before he was accepted by the flydubai, according to Channel 13.
The reports said he first intended to carry out the attack in July but abandoned that plan after becoming friendly with a member of the crew. Investigators were also told that he had considered another target if he could not reach Israel. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera said al-Hammami interfered with the aircraft controls during the struggle. He said al-Hammami had asked to pray shortly before attacking him.
His alleged reason for choosing the airline was its regular service to Israel. That target was reportedly a US military base in Jordan. Details of the attack have also emerged. He allegedly switched off the engines and pushed the rudders forward. Machchhar later described the attack in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The captain initially thought the aircraft had been hit. He then realised that the blows were coming from the co-pilot.
The news agency reported that investigators have so far found no established connection between him and a any terrorist organisation.
Israeli investigators have not themselves questioned al-Hammami, according to The Times of Israel. Al-Hammami had previously been removed from flying duties by the Oman Air over alleged extremist views, according to the AP. Reports suggest that the information came from the UAE and Saudi investigations and was passed on to Israeli authorities. He later joined the flydubai after undergoing standard employment checks.
The earlier decision to bar him from flying has become an important part of the investigation into how he later obtained a commercial pilot position.
