Stories
Omani Co-Pilot Stabs Captain, Attempts Flydubai Crash: Religious Extremist Suspected
- •An Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to crash flydubai flight FZ1073 en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- •Passengers reportedly subdued and restrained the co-pilot, who a fellow pilot described as a "religious extremist" due to excessive prayer and refusal to shake hands with women.
- •The alleged attacker, whose motives remain unconfirmed, is in custody, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he has not been officially identified.
- •During the incident, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 transmitted emergency codes, dropped significantly in altitude, and made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
- •Israeli officials are investigating the co-pilot's background, including potential dual citizenship, as Israel does not have formal relations with Oman.
Key Questions Answered
An Omani co-pilot violently attacked and stabbed Indian flight captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to crash the plane during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, September 30. Passengers managed to subdue and restrain the attacker before the Boeing 737 MAX 8 made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
Two hours after takeoff, the aircraft initially transmitted squawk 7700 for a general emergency and then quickly switched to code 7500, which signifies unlawful interference and attempted hijacking.
The co-pilot had joined flydubai eight months prior to the incident and was described by a fellow pilot as a religious extremist who prayed excessively and refused to shake hands with women. Israeli officials are investigating his background and whether he held dual citizenship, as Oman and Israel do not share formal relations.
