India's National Investigation Agency probes alleged mid-air attack on flydubai pilot

Updated 2026-10-12 · told from many outlets at once

On September 30, a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a cockpit attack by an Omani co-pilot who planned to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport's terminal in Israel.

• The Omani co-pilot of a Flydubai flight planned to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport in Israel during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on September 30.
• UAE prosecutors believe the alleged plot was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
• The aircraft dropped 14,000 to 16,000 feet in less than a minute.
• The co-pilot planned to crash the plane into the terminal at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.
• The co-pilot attacked the Indian captain with an emergency axe inside the cockpit.
• The UAE prosecutor confirmed the co-pilot's intent to carry out a premeditated terrorist act.
• The co-pilot became radicalized while studying in Australia in 2017.
• The co-pilot planned a suicide attack based on the 9/11 attacks and claimed to act alone.
• The suspect had worked for Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc before joining Flydubai.
• The National Investigation Agency launched a probe into the cockpit attack on Flydubai flight 1073.
• The UAE prosecutor found the co-pilot met employment security requirements.
• The co-pilot admitted to acting alone in the planned attack.
• Saudi Arabia initiated a security investigation into the incident, which occurred in its airspace near the Jordan-Saudi border.
• Investigators say the suspect first showed signs of extremism in 2017.
• The second pilot from Oman planned to seize control of the aircraft.
• The man intended to use the plane for a suicide attack on the Ben-Gurion terminal in Tel Aviv.
• An Omani first officer stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit, causing deep cuts to his head and hands.
• The case was registered under the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016.
• The flight departed Dubai on September 30 heading to Tel Aviv.

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