A pilot from flydubai, who previously worked alongside the Omani co-pilot implicated in the assault on Indian captain Smit Machchhar during flight FZ1073, has labeled him as a “religious extremist.” This characterization was shared with Israeli media, which reported that the co-pilot often exhibited stringent religious behaviors.
The source, speaking to Channel 16 in Israel, noted that the co-pilot had been with flydubai for around eight months, during which he was observed to engage in frequent prayer and to abstain from shaking hands with women. These claims have not been independently verified, though they were also reported by The Times of Israel.
Identified by Israeli authorities as an Omani national, the co-pilot’s name remains undisclosed. He is currently under investigation following the troubling incident on Wednesday involving flight FZ1073, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
During the flight, the aircraft descended abruptly by over 14,000 feet in under thirty seconds after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Machchhar in the cockpit. The injured captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers to intervene and restrain the co-pilot. A backup crew successfully landed the plane at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has described the co-pilot’s actions, which appeared to aim at crashing the flight, as akin to a “jihadist terrorist attack.”
The colleague’s comments highlighted that the Omani pilot’s religious practices stood out compared to his peers, as he reportedly prayed excessively throughout the day and refused to engage in physical contact with women.
As investigators probe the incident, they are considering whether the cockpit attack was a terrorist act, a premeditated assault, or motivated by other factors. The UAE Attorney-General has initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the attack, including potential links to terrorism or prior planning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that the co-pilot may have undergone Islamist radicalization, indicating that the evidence points toward a possible suicidal intention behind the attack. However, he emphasized that conclusive determinations had yet to be made.
Israel’s envoy to the UAE, Yossi Shelley, echoed the sentiment that it is premature to draw definitive conclusions, as the motive for the attack remains undetermined.
The UAE is conducting its own investigation into the matter, with authorities stressing the importance of avoiding speculation and relying on official statements as the inquiry unfolds.
Initial assessments from Israeli officials indicate that the co-pilot likely acted independently, but the investigation is ongoing, and intelligence agencies are also involved in examining the incident.
This occurrence has raised concerns regarding how the Omani pilot was able to pass the security and vetting processes necessary for operating flights to Israel, particularly given the absence of diplomatic relations between Oman and Israel. Netanyahu pointed out that there are limitations concerning pilots from nations without diplomatic ties to Israel; nevertheless, the co-pilot successfully navigated the requisite procedures.
Questions have also arisen regarding how the pilot managed to clear the vetting process. However, an aviation expert noted that there is nothing unusual about an Omani pilot working for a UAE airline, as nationality does not typically dictate an airline’s operational capabilities.
Captain Machchhar, who sustained serious injuries during the incident, underwent emergency surgery in Tabuk before being transferred to the UAE for further medical care. The Indian Embassy has confirmed that he is in stable condition and recovering well.
Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, visited Machchhar and his family at the hospital. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netanyahu have commended the Indian pilot for his bravery during the crisis, with Modi highlighting that Machchhar’s actions were instrumental in saving lives.
Investigators continue to seek clarity on the co-pilot’s motivations, whether he intended to crash the aircraft, if he acted alone, and if the incident was linked to any larger organizations or terrorist groups.
