flydubai cockpit attack: Omani co-pilot used feet to destroy controls in 'radicalised' crash attempt

Washington: Compelling new footage and details have emerged regarding the extraordinary heroics of an Indian captain following a terrifying mid-air security breach aboard a flydubai flight, where the co-pilot launched a violent attempt to crash a commercial passenger jet before being overpowered by passengers and crew.

The flight, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was approaching Israeli airspace when the co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain with a knife and attempted to bring down the aircraft, according to statements given by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to CBS News. The captain successfully fought off the co-pilot long enough to unlatch the cockpit door. Passengers subsequently subdued the attacker, whilst two off-duty aviators on board took command of the aircraft and executed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

A total of 180 individuals were on board the flight, with no passengers suffering severe physical injuries during the incident. The captain sustained stab wounds in the attack, and Saudi authorities confirmed that two crew members received hospital treatment for unspecified injuries, while the co-pilot remains in custody.

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The identity of the co-pilot has not been officially released, though an Omani official verified to CBS News that the assailant was born in Oman and holds Omani citizenship, even though Muscat has not publicly acknowledged his nationality.

Describing the harrowing moments inside the cockpit, Prime Minister Netanyahu told Fox and Friends that crew members utilised earphone cords and plastic restraints to secure the attacker.

"He is lying on the floor, and he calls out to the crew, 'kill me, kill me'. So, it is clear that he was suicidal and was going to down the plane," Netanyahu stated, having previously characterised the event to CBS News as appearing "like a suicide attempt."

Expanding on these accounts, David Mencer, a spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister, revealed during an appearance on Fox News' programme The Story that Netanyahu received a detailed firsthand account from a passenger who entered the cockpit alongside flight attendants.

"That pilot wasn't sitting in the pilot's chair," Mencer said. "He was standing over the controls. He was using his feet to destroy the controls of the aircraft while he was attacking that Indian pilot." Mencer added, "His objective was to bring down that airplane."

During discussions with Fox News, Netanyahu also remarked that "personal information" gathered through ongoing interrogations led Israeli authorities to conclude that the co-pilot "underwent Islamist radical indoctrination." Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz previously described the incident as "an attempted jihadist terror attack," labelling the co-pilot a "terrorist."

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump suggested that the co-pilot might have ties to Tehran, noting that this assessment was "based on what I'm hearing."

"We're working on it right now," Mr Trump said. "They're being very open with us. I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes. But we're working on it right now."

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His comments went further than assessments by Netanyahu, who informed Fox that it remained "too early to say" whether Iranian involvement was present. An Israeli security official told CBS News that investigators are examining whether the occurrence could represent an attempted September 11-style strike, alongside determining if the perpetrator acted alone. Netanyahu has previously warned of escalating security threats facing Israel and its assets amid ongoing military campaigns against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Following his immediate arrest, the suspect was transferred to the United Arab Emirates. A senior Israeli official informed CBS News that UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally assured Netanyahu of his expectation that Saudi authorities would transfer the co-pilot to the UAE. Consequently, Israeli investigators have travelled to the UAE to join the local inquiry and help determine whether outside conspirators orchestrated the attack.

Footage broadcast by Israel's Channel 12 captured the chaos inside the Flydubai cabin after Captain Smit Machchhar and passengers thwarted the crash attempt. Filmed from a seat adjacent to the cockpit, the video records passengers shouting "he tried to crash the plane", yelling "take him out", and urging others to remain seated.

Amid calls for medical help, Israeli dentist Dr Shota Musayev rushed forward to administer first aid. The footage shows a bloodied Captain Machchhar lying outside the cockpit, explaining that the co-pilot "hit me so many times" and noting that his injured hand could no longer grip properly. As security forces arrived following the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, passengers informed ground personnel that the co-pilot "is a terrorist."

Earlier, Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the "tremendous act of heroism" displayed by Captain Machchhar, noting that the wounded pilot managed to open the cockpit door while "fighting for his life," thereby averting what could have been another 9/11-scale tragedy.

Meanwhile, India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, confirmed that Captain Smit Machchhar is in a stable condition and recovering well at a UAE medical facility. Visiting the captain and his family, Ambassador Mittal reported that Machchhar's spirits remain high and he was "smiling and also laughing."

Speaking to Prasar Bharati following his hospital visit, the ambassador lauded Captain Machchhar as a "brave son of India," commending his courageous actions during the mid-air crisis for preserving hundreds of lives and preventing a major catastrophe.

ANI