‘Prayed Excessively, Refused Handshakes’: What We Know About Flydubai Attacker

An Omani Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar has been described by a fellow pilot as a religious extremist, as investigators probe the alleged mid-air attack.

Post Published By: Sreeja Chowdhury

Updated : 1 October 2026, 11:23 AM IST

Flydubai (Img: Pinterest)

Dubai: Fresh details have emerged about the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar during a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, as investigators examine whether the mid-air crisis was an attempted terror attack.

The co-pilot allegedly stabbed the Indian captain and attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s controls before passengers and crew intervened. The Boeing 737 eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Fellow Pilot Claims ‘Strict Religious Behaviour’

According to a report cited by The Times of Israel, an unidentified fellow pilot told Israel’s Channel 16 that the Omani national had joined Flydubai around eight months ago.

The colleague reportedly described him as a “religious extremist” and claimed he prayed frequently and refused to shake hands with women.

However, these allegations about his personal religious behaviour do not by themselves establish a motive for the cockpit attack. Israeli authorities are investigating the incident as a possible attempted terrorist attack, while the motive has not been officially established.

14,000-Foot Plunge During Mid-Air Crisis

The confrontation took place while Flight FZ1073 was flying towards Israel. During the chaos, the aircraft plunged roughly 14,000 feet in less than a minute, according to reports.

Captain Machchhar, despite being seriously injured, managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers then rushed in and helped overpower the alleged attacker. Other crew members subsequently regained control of the aircraft.

The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, where Machchhar was taken to hospital. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said initial reports indicated that the injured captain was stable.

Investigation Into Alleged Attack

The alleged attacker was taken into Saudi custody. Authorities are expected to investigate what triggered the confrontation, how the co-pilot was assigned to the Israel-bound flight and whether the incident was motivated by an extremist ideology.

For now, claims about his religious beliefs remain allegations from an unidentified colleague and should not be treated as established evidence of the attack’s motive.