Flydubai attacker had planned 9/11-style attack, source tells NBC News

An Israeli-bound Flydubai flight attack was reportedly planned in a 9/11-style manner, with the pilot aiming to crash into Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv or another airport building, an unnamed Middle Eastern official told NBC News. NBC identified the pilot as Hamman al-Hammami, citing multiple sources. The pilot is being questioned in the United Arab Emirates after being transferred from Saudi Arabia following a midair incident on the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv route last week. Authorities say co-pilot Capt. Smit Machchhar was attacked with a crash axe and the aircraft then lost about 14,000 feet in 29 seconds. Focus has shifted to alleged missed security signals, including a Wall Street Journal report that al-Hammami was previously banned from flying by Oman over extremist concerns.