Tel Aviv: Israeli intelligence agencies and regional authorities are investigating a severe midair crisis aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, following allegations that an Omani co-pilot stabbed the aircraft’s captain and attempted to seize control in a potential terror plot.

The suspect, an Omani national who joined flydubai approximately eight months ago, was taken into custody by Saudi Arabian authorities after the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was forced to make an emergency landing at Tabuk airport. While official motives remain under review, colleagues have raised alarms over his past conduct and security clearance.

 

Colleagues report patterns of extremism

According to reports by the Daily Mail citing accounts provided to Israeli broadcasters, fellow crew members described the suspect as displaying increasingly rigid ideological behaviour.

A colleague quoted by the ‘Daily Mail’ described the individual as a “religious extremist” whose actions were visibly out of step with company culture. The account noted that the co-pilot “prayed excessively throughout the day and refused to shake hands with women”.

The Daily Mail further reported that co-workers expressed profound disbelief over the airline's vetting protocols, questioning how an Omani national, originating from a country without formal diplomatic ties to Israel, was assigned to pilot a commercial vector into Tel Aviv airspace.

 

Violent midair plunge and cockpit breach

The violent altercation erupted while the jet was cruising toward Israel. The attacker stabbed Indian-origin Captain Smit Machchhar before attempting to block access to the flight deck and manipulate the primary controls.

The assault triggered a severe loss of altitude, with flight tracking data indicating the aircraft plunged approximately 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds.

According to the Daily Mail, eyewitness Yaniv Hayoun recounted how passengers and crew breached the cockpit after Captain Smit Machchha, despite suffering grave stab wounds, managed to unlock the security door. Hayoun and others wrestled the assailant away from the flight yoke while crew members took over control to stabilize the airliner.

Meanwhile, Captain Machchhar’s bravery for saving the lives of all 174 passengers and crew on board was widely hailed. Captain Machchhar remains in stable condition following emergency surgery in Saudi Arabia.