UAE Tight-Lipped on Flydubai Omani Co-Pilot’s Identity as Probe Examines Possible Terror Link

Dubai: Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have so far withheld the identity of the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian captain Smit Machchhar during a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, as investigators work to establish what triggered the cockpit confrontation.

The incident occurred aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 people when the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a violent confrontation between the two pilots. Machchhar was seriously injured but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft eventually landed safely at Tabuk. 

UAE probe examines possible terror connection

The UAE has launched its own investigation into the incident. The country's Attorney General, Counsellor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, ordered a specialised Public Prosecution team to establish the circumstances, causes and motives behind the attack.

According to the UAE authorities, investigators will examine all possible circumstances and motives, including whether the incident had any connection to terrorist activity or intent and whether there was any prior planning or direction involved.

The investigation does not establish that the incident was terrorism-related. Authorities are examining that possibility alongside other explanations.

Why has the co-pilot's identity not been released?

The co-pilot has been publicly identified only as an Omani national. His name and detailed background have not been officially released.

The lack of information has generated questions about his employment history, screening and the circumstances under which he was assigned to the Dubai-Tel Aviv route. Reports have also raised questions about how an Omani national came to be operating a route involving Israel, given that Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. However, the significance of that assignment remains a matter for investigators to establish.

Saudi authorities initially took custody of the co-pilot after the plane landed in Tabuk. Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia is conducting an initial investigation before the suspect is handed over to UAE authorities for further proceedings.

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar recovering

Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot injured during the confrontation, was later transferred for treatment in the UAE.

According to the latest reports, Machchhar is recovering and was visited by India's ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal. The Indian Embassy said he was in good health and recovering, while reports from the meeting described him as speaking, smiling and laughing with his visitors.

Machchhar had previously worked with SpiceJet for more than a decade before joining Flydubai in 2022. He has been credited with helping passengers and crew regain access to the cockpit during the emergency.

What happened aboard Flight FZ1073?

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv. Roughly two and a half hours into the flight, a confrontation reportedly broke out inside the cockpit.

The aircraft subsequently experienced a rapid loss of altitude, descending from around 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet within about a minute, according to flight-tracking data and reports.

Emergency transponder codes were activated, including the code associated with a hijacking or unlawful interference. Machchhar was injured during the confrontation but was able to open the cockpit door. Passengers and crew then entered the cockpit and helped restrain the co-pilot and regain control of the aircraft.

The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Conspiracy theories remain unverified

The incident has generated speculation about a possible ideological or terrorist motive. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly described the incident as potentially linked to terrorism, while other reports have cited claims about the co-pilot's alleged religious behaviour.

However, investigators have not publicly established a definitive motive. The Associated Press reported that authorities were examining multiple possibilities and that the motive remained unknown.

The UAE government has specifically urged people to rely on official information and avoid circulating speculation or unverified claims while the investigation is underway.

Investigation still underway

Investigators in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel are examining different aspects of the incident, including the cockpit confrontation, the co-pilot's background, possible motive and whether there was any prior planning.

For now, the co-pilot's identity remains officially undisclosed, while the UAE investigation is expected to provide further information once authorities have completed their examination of the evidence.