Flydubai FZ1073 incident: What we know about co-pilot who attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar

On the day following a FlyDubai co-pilot's violent attempt to crash a passenger plane, details about the incident and the culprit continue to emerge. The flight, originating from Dubai and headed towards Tel Aviv, was en route to Israel when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the flight captain and attempted to crash the aircraft. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed that the captain managed to break free from the co-pilot, unlock the cockpit door, and alert passengers, who then overpowered and restrained the attacker.

Two off-duty pilots aboard the flight assisted in regaining control of the aircraft, resulting in an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. There were 174 individuals on board the plane, none of whom sustained serious injuries; however, the pilot experienced stab wounds during the attack. The Saudi government identified the co-pilot as an Omani citizen, though the nation has not formally acknowledged his nationality.

His motive remains unknown, though Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu suggested the incident resembled a suicide attempt, citing witnesses who reported the co-pilot attempting to tamper with the plane's equipment. Following the co-pilot's subdual, he reportedly shouted for someone to kill him. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz referred to the incident as an attempted jihadist terror attack, designating the co-pilot as a terrorist.

An Israeli security official hinted at the possibility of the incident being a Sept. 11-style terror attack, questioning whether the attacker acted independently. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan authorized Saudi authorities to transfer the co-pilot to the UAE for questioning, with Israeli officials asserting they would join the interrogation to uncover the full story.