Stories
Flydubai Co-Pilot Discussed Killing Jews Online, Probe Underway After Mid-Air Attack
- •An Omani co-pilot, accused of attacking Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar on a Flydubai flight, reportedly discussed killing Jews on social media and showed signs of jihadist radicalisation, according to an Israeli official.
- •After being overpowered during the mid-air confrontation, the co-pilot allegedly asked crew members to kill him, a detail corroborated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- •The UAE has launched an investigation into the incident to determine if it was terror-related, while Israel is also conducting its own inquiry, interviewing passengers.
- •Claims have emerged about "Free Palestine" leaflets and pro-Palestinian publications found among the co-pilot's belongings, though these have not been independently verified.
- •The incident has also sparked speculation about a possible Iranian connection, with US President Donald Trump and UAE officials raising the possibility, though no evidence has been publicly established.
Key Questions Answered
Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was forced to make an emergency landing after the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. The aircraft suffered a dramatic loss of altitude before passengers and crew members managed to overpower the attacker, and the flight subsequently diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
An Israeli official stated that the co-pilot had discussed killing Jews online and showed signs of jihadist radicalisation. Additionally, an Emirati source reported that investigators found Free Palestine leaflets and other pro-Palestinian publications among the co-pilot's belongings, though investigations are still underway to establish a definitive motive.
The UAE has opened an investigation to determine if the attack was connected to terrorism, while Israel is conducting its own inquiry by speaking to passengers from the flight. Furthermore, speculation has arisen regarding a possible Iranian connection raised by US President Donald Trump and UAE officials, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted it is too early to confirm.
