The Flydubai co-pilot accused of stabbing his captain and attempting to crash an Israel-bound passenger jet underwent “Islamist radical indoctrination,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday.
The cockpit attack occurred Wednesday on Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Passengers and crew intervened, and the aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Netanyahu cited information about the suspect’s background during an interview with Fox & Friends. He said he believed the co-pilot was suicidal but cautioned that investigators had not reached final conclusions.
Israeli officials identified the suspect as an Omani national. Authorities had not publicly released his name as of Thursday.
Co-pilot transferred to UAE
The aircraft carried 174 passengers and eight crew members, Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency.
A preliminary investigation by Saudi authorities, working with a UAE security team, found that the co-pilot assaulted the captain and that both men suffered injuries, the ministry said.
Both pilots left Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning after doctors cleared them to travel. The UAE security team accompanied them, according to the ministry.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered a specialized prosecution team to investigate the incident Thursday. The team began working with the General Civil Aviation Authority and other Emirati authorities, according to an official release.
Investigators will examine the circumstances and motives, including whether terrorist activity, advance planning or outside direction played a role.
Captain and passengers intervened
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, managed to open the cockpit door despite suffering stab wounds, allowing passengers to enter and subdue the co-pilot, according to Israeli accounts reported by Reuters.
Other Flydubai pilots aboard the flight then landed the aircraft safely. Flydubai said its crew secured the aircraft and that all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for.
Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar as a hero. The Indian Embassy in the UAE said he was recovering well.
Flydubai suspends Israel flights
Flydubai announced a temporary suspension of flights to and from Israel while authorities investigate the September 30 incident.
The airline said it would review the suspension as more information became available and help affected passengers with alternative travel arrangements where possible.
In an earlier statement, Flydubai said investigators had not established the reasons or motives for the cockpit confrontation and urged against premature speculation.
