Tel Aviv: Israel was prepared to take the extreme step of shooting down a Flydubai passenger aircraft if it was determined to be a hijacked plane heading
towards a major target, even though more than 150 Israelis were travelling on board, CBS News reported, citing two Israeli sources familiar with the situation.
The Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv came under emergency conditions last week after its co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit and attempted to crash the aircraft.
Israel prepared to shoot down Flydubai plane
According to the report, the aircraft plunged around 14,000 feet while Israeli authorities were unable to establish contact with the cockpit.
Israel activated a pre-existing emergency mechanism designed to deal with a potential 9/11-style attack. A command centre was set up and fighter jets were sent into the air, while Israeli airspace was temporarily closed.
The jets were later recalled after the aircraft, then around 400 miles from Israel, changed course towards Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities also scrambled fighter aircraft in response.
The situation was eventually brought under control after injured Captain Smit Machchhar managed to resist the alleged attacker and open the cockpit door.
Israeli passengers and Flydubai crew members then intervened and overpowered the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots travelling as passengers subsequently took control of the aircraft and helped land it safely at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
Shoot-down protocol
The Israeli sources told CBS News that if Flight 1073 had continued towards Israel and entered a specified range, Israeli fighter pilots could have entered Jordanian airspace to assess the aircraft.
The pilots would have attempted to establish visual contact with the cockpit and inspect the cabin. Any signs of panic or an emergency would have been communicated to the Israeli Air Force and the emergency committee.
If authorities concluded that the aircraft had been hijacked, while those controlling it maintained radio silence and made no demands, Israel’s protocol would require the defense minister and the prime minister to decide how to respond.
The sources said the established procedure allows for a rogue aircraft approaching Israel to be shot down. However, only the prime minister could authorise such an action.
The measure would be considered only if authorities believed the aircraft posed a major threat to a high-value target, including the Azrieli buildings or Ben Gurion Airport.
Hamam al-Hammami planned attack before joining Flydubai
An Israeli official told CBS News that the co-pilot allegedly admitted during questioning in the UAE that he had planned the attack before joining Flydubai.
The suspect was identified by sources as Omani national Hamam al Hamami. According to the official, his alleged plan was to crash the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport. The official also said he had previously travelled to Israel.
Israeli investigators currently believe the incident was likely a lone-wolf attack, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
However, as the probe remains ongoing, the investigators are continuing to examine whether anyone else was involved or whether there was any wider planning behind the attack.
