The serious mid-air incident aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 has triggered investigations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel after an Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar during the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
The aircraft, carrying more than 170 passengers, was flying over Saudi Arabia on September 30 when the incident unfolded. According to Reuters, the aircraft made a series of sharp descents, dropping more than 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds before the situation was brought under control.
The co-pilot has been identified by multiple reports as Hamam Al-Hammami, an Omani national. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, including reports about his previous employment and whether there were security concerns about him before he joined flydubai.
During the incident, Captain Machchhar was injured but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to intervene. Two off-duty pilots who were aboard the aircraft subsequently helped stabilise the situation and land the plane safely.
The flight was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. Captain Machchhar was later transferred to Abu Dhabi for medical treatment.
Reports have also raised questions about Al-Hammami’s earlier career. The Associated Press and other outlets reported that he had previously been barred from flying by authorities in Oman over concerns about extremist views. However, details surrounding the earlier decision, his recruitment by flydubai and the precise circumstances leading to the attack remain part of the investigation.
Israeli officials have raised the possibility that the incident was connected to extremist radicalisation, while the broader investigation is examining the co-pilot’s motives and whether he acted alone. Reuters reported that the motives remained unclear and that authorities in several countries were involved in the probe.
The incident has also prompted questions about pilot vetting, cockpit security and aviation safety, particularly concerning international flights involving multiple jurisdictions.
Captain Machchhar’s actions during the emergency have drawn widespread attention after he managed to seek assistance despite his injuries. He later spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hospital and described fighting to prevent the loss of passengers’ lives.
Investigations into the incident remain ongoing. Authorities are expected to examine the co-pilot’s background, security screening, access to the cockpit and the circumstances surrounding the weapon reportedly used in the attack before determining the full motive and whether anyone else was involved.