Tel Aviv [Israel], October 2, 2026, BNN Web Staff: Investigators probing the cockpit attack aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv are examining the background and possible motives of the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and attempting to bring down the aircraft.
According to Israel’s i24NEWS, an Emirati source said leaflets and publications associated with “Free Palestine” groups, along with other pro-Palestinian material, were found among the co-pilot’s belongings.
The report also said the co-pilot had previously expressed support for Palestinians and hostility towards Israel. These claims have not been independently verified.
The developments come as Israeli and Emirati authorities continue investigating the September 30 incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit.
According to accounts from Israeli officials and other reports, the aircraft went into a rapid descent after the attack, dropping thousands of feet before the situation was brought under control. Machchhar, despite sustaining serious injuries, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to intervene.
The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. All those aboard were safely evacuated. Reuters reported that the flight was carrying 174 passengers, while other accounts have given slightly different figures for the total number of people on board.
The co-pilot, who has been identified as an Omani national, was arrested following the incident. The Jerusalem Post reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the investigation, that he did not hold a second nationality.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the incident as an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft and said the co-pilot had undergone what he characterised as radical Islamist indoctrination. Israeli authorities are continuing to investigate the motive and whether anyone else was involved.
At the same time, there are differing assessments about whether the suspect acted alone or had outside support. An Israeli official told the Jerusalem Post that the current working assumption was that the co-pilot acted as a “lone wolf”, while US President Donald Trump has publicly suggested that investigators should examine a possible connection to Iran. Trump said the matter was still being investigated.
The investigation is being conducted with the involvement of authorities from several countries, including Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Israeli investigative personnel have also travelled to the UAE as part of the inquiry.
The incident has drawn international attention to the safety of cockpit operations and the screening of flight crew members travelling to Israel. Israel has said it is strengthening checks on pilots operating flights into the country following the attack.
Meanwhile, Captain Machchhar has been recovering from his injuries. On Friday, he spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hospital and recounted how he managed to open the cockpit door while under attack.
The incident has also affected air travel between Israel and the UAE. Israeli carrier El Al said it had cancelled planned rescue flights from Dubai after landing approval for Israeli airlines was withdrawn. According to i24NEWS, the airline said the cancellation followed the revocation of landing permits for Israeli carriers.
The investigation into the co-pilot’s background, possible motive and any potential links to outside organisations remains ongoing.
