What happened aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on September 30 is becoming even more disturbing as investigators uncover details about the alleged plan of co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami.
According to reports emerging from the investigation, authorities believe al-Hammami may have been planning an attack long before he entered the cockpit on September 30.
Investigators reportedly say he had searched for an airline operating flights to Tel Aviv and allegedly planned the operation even before he was hired by Flydubai.
He had also reportedly travelled to Israel in June and is said to have considered carrying out an earlier attack in July, but abandoned that attempt after discovering that someone he knew was among the crew.
Then came September 30.
According to accounts from the investigation, al-Hammami allegedly waited until the aircraft was in flight before attacking Captain Smit Machchhar with the cockpit emergency axe after reportedly telling him that he wanted to pray.
The attack caused the aircraft to descend sharply. Machchhar fought to survive and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and overpower the attacker.
Other pilots on board subsequently helped regain control of the aircraft, which eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
But investigators are now examining an even more frightening allegation, that the alleged objective was not simply to attack the captain, but to take control of the aircraft and deliberately crash it after reaching Israel.
Some reports say investigators believe alternative targets were also considered if the aircraft could not reach Ben Gurion Airport.
These details remain part of an ongoing investigation and should therefore be treated as allegations until established by the authorities.
There is another disturbing element.
Reports say al-Hammami had previously been removed from flying duties by Oman Air amid concerns about alleged extremist views.
He later worked for other airlines before joining Flydubai. UAE authorities are now investigating his background, possible radicalisation and whether he acted alone or had connections with an extremist organisation.
Whatever the final findings may be, one thing is clear: a potentially catastrophic aviation disaster was narrowly prevented.
Captain Machchhar's resistance, the intervention of passengers and crew, and the actions of the other pilots appear to have prevented what could have become a mass-casualty tragedy.
This case also raises serious questions about aviation security, pilot vetting and how information concerning suspected extremist behaviour is shared between airlines, regulators and governments.
Religion should never be used as a justification for violence.
Say NO to religious radicalism.
Say NO to religious extremism.
Say NO to religious fanaticism.
And most importantly, let the investigation establish the full truth, because when an individual allegedly turns an aircraft into a weapon, the consequences can extend far beyond the cockpit.
The world needs vigilance.
The world needs accountability.
And the world needs peace.
Shalom!!
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