A Flydubai co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain and interfering with the controls of an Israel-bound passenger jet is facing an investigation into what triggered the extraordinary mid-air attack and how he was cleared to serve on the flight.

The incident unfolded on September 30 aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board. Israeli officials said the co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar before interfering with the aircraft’s controls, sending the Boeing 737 into a rapid descent.

Machchhar suffered serious injuries but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and restrain the attacker. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Co-Pilot Arrested as Motive Remains Under Investigation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the co-pilot had been arrested, with Saudi authorities involved in questioning him.

He is believed to be an Omani national, although his identity has not been publicly released.

Israeli authorities are investigating whether the attack was connected to an extremist ideology. A report citing a colleague of the suspect claimed that he displayed unusual behaviour around religious observance, including refusing to shake hands with women and praying several times a day.

Yosef Yisrael, foreign editor and news anchor for Israel’s Channel 16, said the colleague described the suspect as someone whose behaviour was particularly unusual in matters of religion.

However, the precise motive has not been established. Netanyahu said it was too early to determine why the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain, while authorities continued to investigate whether the incident should be treated as a terrorist attack, an attempted suicide or another form of violence.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said early intelligence suggested the co-pilot may have intended to carry out what he described as a “jihadist terror attack.”

The investigation has also raised questions about aviation security, including how a crew member allegedly managed to bring a knife into the cockpit and operate a flight bound for Israel.

Following the incident, Israel said it would increase security checks on pilots operating flights into the country.

The Plane Suddenly Plunged

The attack created a life-threatening situation as the aircraft rapidly lost altitude.

According to reports, the Boeing plunged more than 17,000 feet during the struggle, while the force of the incident also caused damage to the aircraft’s rudder.

Passengers initially feared that the aircraft had been hijacked. As the plane descended, people inside the cabin rushed to help after the cockpit door was opened.

Machchhar’s actions were crucial. Despite being seriously injured, he managed to release the cockpit door, giving passengers and other crew members a chance to reach the controls and overpower the co-pilot.

The aircraft ultimately made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was taken to hospital and underwent surgery, with reports later describing his condition as stable.

Passenger Yaniv Hayoun Helps Take Control

Among those who intervened was Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber who later recounted the dramatic sequence to Netanyahu after reaching Israel.

Hayoun said he had some understanding of what to do because he had watched Air Crash Investigation, the television series about aviation disasters.

“We pinned him down to keep him secure and then I jumped into it [the cockpit] and pulled the controls,” Hayoun said.

He described how passengers initially struggled to open the cockpit door because the injured captain was close to it.

“We pulled him out – it was a matter of seconds,” he said.

Once inside, Hayoun helped restrain the alleged attacker and pulled him away from the controls. As the aircraft began to level, an off-duty pilot took over and helped bring the situation under control.

Hayoun later told Netanyahu that he grabbed the controls and pulled them back after seeing the aircraft’s descent.

An off-duty pilot subsequently assumed control, and the aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Heroes Praised After the Ordeal

Netanyahu praised Hayoun for what he called his “tremendous resourcefulness.”

US President Donald Trump also praised Hayoun’s actions as “amazing” while speaking from the White House on Wednesday, revealing that the passenger worked as a plumber.

Captain Machchhar has likewise been praised for his actions after being attacked. Reuters reported that he had extensive experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft and was credited with helping prevent the aircraft from becoming uncontrollable despite his injuries.

The incident has since drawn attention to the role played by passengers, crew members and off-duty pilots in helping recover the aircraft during the crisis.

Flydubai Suspends Israel Flights

Flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel while authorities investigate what happened.

The airline confirmed that an “altercation occurred in the flight deck” of flight FZ1073, which was operating from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport on September 30.

Flydubai said the underlying reasons and motives were still unknown and remained subject to a formal investigation.

“We are fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and maintaining the highest safety standards across our network,” the airline said.

It added that it remained in close contact with government authorities, regulators and airport stakeholders and would review the suspension as more information becomes available.

For investigators, the central questions now extend beyond the violent cockpit struggle itself: what motivated the co-pilot, how the attack unfolded, and how a crew member allegedly armed with a knife was able to gain access to the cockpit and operate an international passenger flight.