An Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv is under investigation after an Israeli official said his social
media accounts contained discussions about killing Jews. The official told The Times of Israel that the co-pilot had allegedly been radicalised into jihadist ideology and had asked Emirati crew members to kill him after being subdued during Wednesday’s incident. The official cautioned that the investigation was still ongoing and that his exact intentions had not yet been established. The incident occurred aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit, prompting passengers and off-duty pilots to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently diverted and landed safely in Saudi Arabia. All passengers survived. Israeli officials are now participating in the investigation. According to the Israeli official cited by The Times of Israel, the co-pilot is expected to be transferred to the United Arab Emirates, where further questioning will take place. Israel is also conducting an internal investigation and reviewing its aviation security procedures following the incident. Netanyahu Says Co Pilot Was Radicalised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that the Omani co-pilot had undergone what he described as “Islamist radical indoctrination”. He also said the attacker appeared willing to die, citing reports that he called on crew members to kill him after the attack was thwarted. Netanyahu said it was too early to establish whether there was any Iranian involvement and that investigators would need to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack. The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of aviation security, particularly the screening and monitoring of flight crew members. Investigators are expected to examine the co-pilot’s background, online activity, recruitment and employment history, as well as how the alleged attack unfolded inside the cockpit. Flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues, according to reports. Israeli authorities have also begun reviewing security arrangements for flights involving the country. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have yet to publicly establish the co-pilot’s definitive motive or whether he acted alone.
