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Flydubai Attacker Banned by Oman for Radical Views, Wall Street Journal Reports
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Firstpost•03-10-2026, 05:58
Flydubai Attacker Banned by Oman for Radical Views, Wall Street Journal Reports
- •A Flydubai co-pilot, who stabbed Indian Captain Smit Machchar and attempted to crash Flight 1073, was reportedly banned from flying by Oman due to "radical views," according to a Wall Street Journal report.
- •Despite the ban, Flydubai hired the Omani pilot, allowing him to operate on the sensitive route connecting the United Arab Emirates and Israel.
- •The UAE is leading the investigation into the incident, with a spokesman declining to comment on the report to avoid prejudging the outcome.
- •A senior adviser to the UAE's ruler and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the near-downing of FlyDubai Flight 1073 as "terrorism," with Netanyahu stating the attacker underwent Islamic radicalization.
- •Captain Smit Machchhar, despite being badly injured, opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the assailant, while reserve pilots landed the plane; FlyDubai's flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv are now suspended.
Key Questions Answered
The Omani co-pilot was reportedly banned from flying by Oman due to concerns regarding his radical ideologies and radicalization.
Despite being badly injured from a stabbing, Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling a group of passengers and crew to overpower the attacker while reserve pilots stabilized the aircraft.
The United Arab Emirates is leading the active investigation into the incident, while Israel is also examining whether the co-pilot acted alone or with accomplices and is looking to question the attacker.
