The Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and sending a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight into a steep descent had previously been barred from flying by Oman over concerns about extremist views, according to people familiar with the investigation.
The disclosure has raised questions about how the co-pilot was subsequently employed by Flydubai and cleared to operate a sensitive international route. The investigation into the September 30 incident remains underway.
Co-Pilot Had Been Grounded in Oman
According to reporting by the Associated Press and ABC News, the co-pilot had previously worked as a trainee with Oman Air. Officials familiar with the matter said he was found to possess extremist material and was subsequently suspended or barred from flying.
ABC News reported that the incident occurred during his training in 2024 and that he was allowed to continue working for Oman Air in an administrative capacity.
It remains unclear how much information about the earlier concerns was available to Flydubai when he was recruited.
Attack Triggered a Mid-Air Emergency
The incident occurred aboard a Flydubai Boeing 737 operating a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 182 people aboard, according to AP.
More than two hours into the flight, the aircraft suddenly descended to around 16,600 feet. Passengers near the front of the aircraft reported hearing a struggle inside the cockpit.
The captain was injured during the confrontation but managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers then entered the cockpit and restrained the co-pilot. The aircraft subsequently landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Captain Smit Machchhar Injured
The captain has been identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar. He was seriously injured during the confrontation and was later transferred to the UAE for medical treatment.
Machchhar has since described the incident, saying he realised that he needed to regain control of the aircraft to prevent the passengers from being killed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with him after the incident.
Terrorism Motive Still Under Investigation
Authorities are investigating the co-pilot’s motives and whether the incident was connected to terrorism.
Some officials have described the incident as a potential terrorist attack, while Reuters reported that investigators had not yet established a definitive motive. There has also been speculation about possible links to Iran, but available reporting says there is no confirmed evidence of an Iranian connection at this stage.
Flydubai has temporarily suspended its Tel Aviv operations while authorities investigate the incident.
Questions Over Airline Security Checks
The case has prompted scrutiny of aviation security and airline recruitment procedures, particularly how an individual previously identified as a security concern was later able to obtain a commercial flying position.
The investigation is expected to examine the information shared between aviation authorities, airlines and security agencies, as well as the vetting process followed when the co-pilot was recruited.
The incident has also renewed broader concerns about insider threats in commercial aviation, where cockpit access by flight crew creates a distinct security challenge.
