Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that those responsible for the alleged attempt to crash Flydubai Flight FZ1073 will “pay a heavy price”, while investigations by Israel, the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue.

Netanyahu said on Friday that the circumstances surrounding the September 30 incident were becoming clearer and alleged that the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalisation and intended to crash the aircraft.

He said those responsible would face consequences, while stressing that investigations were still under way.

Netanyahu also praised passengers and crew members who helped prevent what he described as a potentially catastrophic incident.

What happened on Flight FZ1073?

The Flydubai flight was travelling from the UAE to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit.

Machchhar was seriously injured but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and restrain the attacker.

The aircraft reportedly went into a sharp descent during the incident. Flight-tracking data cited in reports showed a drop of more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.

A reserve crew member subsequently helped bring the aircraft under control before it diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.

The flight was carrying more than 170 people.

What does Israel say about the co-pilot?

Netanyahu said preliminary information indicated that the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalisation and appeared to be suicidal.

However, he also said he was not drawing a final conclusion and that investigators were still gathering information.

Two Israeli security officials told Reuters that Israel's initial assessment was that the co-pilot, whom Israel identified as an Omani national, probably acted alone. The investigation remains ongoing.

Netanyahu also said there was no conclusion at this stage about possible Iranian involvement.

UAE and Saudi Arabia investigate

The UAE has launched an investigation into the incident, including whether it was connected to terrorist activity, whether there was prior planning and whether anyone else was involved.

Saudi authorities also conducted a preliminary investigation with UAE security teams. Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said its initial findings indicated that the co-pilot assaulted the captain, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Tabuk.

Israel's envoy to the UAE, Yossi Shelley, said it was too early to determine a motive.

Israeli investigators are also seeking information from the UAE as the investigation continues.

Captain Smit Machchhar praised

Machchhar has been praised by both Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his actions during the emergency.

The Indian Embassy in the UAE said the Indian pilot was recovering well.

Passengers who intervened in the cockpit have also been praised. Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun said he rushed towards the cockpit when the aircraft went into a steep descent and helped remove the attacker before passengers and crew members took control of the situation.

The key questions remain the co-pilot's precise motive, whether the incident was pre-planned and whether anyone else was involved.

Netanyahu has publicly attributed the alleged attack to Islamist radicalisation, but Israeli, UAE and Saudi authorities have indicated that investigations are still continuing. No official finding has established Iranian involvement.

The investigation will also need to establish the full sequence of events inside the cockpit, the circumstances surrounding the co-pilot's employment and security screening, and how the aircraft was ultimately brought under control.