JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that the motive behind an attack aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv remains unclear as authorities investigate why the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and sent the aircraft into a rapid descent.
The Boeing 737 was carrying 174 people when the incident occurred during the flight toward Israel. The injured captain, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, was able to fight back and open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene.
The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The suspected attacker was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities, according to Netanyahu.
Netanyahu says motive is still unknown
Netanyahu said it was too early to determine why the co-pilot attacked the captain.
In an interview with CBS News, Netanyahu said he did not believe the incident could yet be definitively classified as a hijacking. He also said investigators would examine whether the episode was an attempted suicide, terrorism or something else.
Netanyahu said Israel would seek to determine the suspect’s background and motive as part of the investigation. Israeli officials have indicated that the suspect is an Omani national and that Saudi authorities are currently questioning him.
No official motive has been established.
Flydubai has also urged against premature conclusions, saying the underlying reasons and motives for the incident remain unknown and are subject to a formal investigation.
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Captain fought back as aircraft plunged
According to Netanyahu’s account, the co-pilot attacked the captain as the aircraft approached Israel.
The plane subsequently entered a steep descent. Reuters reported that the aircraft dropped nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before the situation was brought under control. Other reporting based on flight data described a larger overall altitude loss during the emergency.
Machchhar was able to resist the attack and open the cockpit door. Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and helped subdue the attacker.
Other pilots who were aboard the aircraft subsequently helped stabilize and land the plane at Tabuk, according to Israeli officials and reporting from the incident.
Netanyahu praised Machchhar and the passengers and crew who intervened, describing their actions as preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome.
Passengers reach Israel safely
After the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, the passengers and crew remained safe while replacement aircraft were arranged to complete their journey.
Passengers later arrived at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on replacement Flydubai aircraft.
Flydubai said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for and temporarily suspended flights between Dubai and Israel while authorities investigate the incident.
Suspect’s background under investigation
The suspected attacker has been identified by officials as an Omani national. His name has not been publicly released.
Netanyahu said the suspect was being interrogated in Saudi Arabia and that Israeli authorities would participate in efforts to establish what happened.
The investigation has not publicly established whether the attack was politically motivated, terrorism-related, a personal act or connected to another motive.
Some Israeli officials have described the incident as a possible terrorist attack, but those characterizations have not established a confirmed motive. Flydubai has specifically called for authorities to establish the facts before conclusions are drawn.
Israel increases aviation security
The incident has prompted Israel to review security procedures involving pilots flying into the country.
Netanyahu instructed Israeli security authorities to increase checks on pilots operating flights to Israel, including pilots employed by foreign airlines.
The review comes as questions are being raised about pilot screening and aviation-security procedures for international carriers operating in the region.
Flydubai’s temporary suspension of Israel flights will remain in place while the investigation continues.
Investigation remains open
The confirmed sequence is that a Flydubai aircraft traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a cockpit attack involving its pilots, entered a dangerous descent, was stabilized after passengers and crew intervened, and made an emergency landing in Tabuk.
The captain survived the attack, the suspected assailant was arrested, and passengers were later taken safely to Israel.
What remains unresolved is why the attack happened and what the attacker intended to achieve.
Netanyahu has said investigators will seek to establish the motive and the suspect’s background. Until that investigation produces further findings, the motive remains unconfirmed.
Reporting Credit: Israeli Prime Minister’s Office; Flydubai; Israeli government and aviation-security authorities; Saudi authorities as reported in official statements and verified news coverage.
