Omani Co-Pilot Talked of Killing Jews Online Before Flydubai Cockpit Attack, Israeli Official Says

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Omani co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain of an Israel-bound flydubai flight and trying to bring the jet down had written online about killing Jews, an Israeli official said Thursday.

The official, speaking to The Times of Israel, said the co-pilot’s social media accounts showed he had been radicalized into jihadist ideology. “This was a person who was willing to commit suicide,” the official said. “He talks about killing Jews.” The official cautioned that investigators could not be certain until the probe is finished, but said it appeared the co-pilot was a “suicide actor” who intended to crash the plane. ​

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot “underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.” In a separate account, Netanyahu said the attacker asked Emirati crew members to kill him after he was subdued. Passenger Yaniv Hayun, one of the Israelis who helped overpower the co-pilot, told Netanyahu the man shouted, “Kill me, kill me,” in English once he was bound. Netanyahu said that made it clear the attack was suicidal. ​

The incident occurred Wednesday on flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport. About two hours after departure, the Boeing 737 Max, cruising near 34,000 feet over Saudi Arabia, went into a steep descent, briefly transmitted the 7500 transponder code used to signal unlawful interference, and was diverted to Tabuk Airport, according to flight-tracking data. ​

The co-pilot, who has not been publicly named, stabbed Indian Capt. Smit Machchhar in the cockpit, authorities and passengers said. Machchhar and off-duty flydubai crew members who were traveling as passengers secured the aircraft and landed it safely. The airline said all 172 passengers and crew were safe. Capt. Machchhar later returned to the United Arab Emirates after receiving medical clearance, flydubai Chief Executive Ghaith Al Ghaith said. ​

Photos of the jet on the ground in Tabuk showed a broken rudder. The airline said the motive remains under formal investigation.

Israeli officials have classified the incident as a terrorist attack. They have said there is no clear evidence so far that Iran or another outside party directed the co-pilot. A colleague has described the co-pilot, who joined the airline less than a year ago, as a religious extremist who refused to shake women’s hands. Omani officials have not publicly confirmed his nationality. Israeli authorities are also examining whether he held a second passport, according to reports citing the ongoing inquiry.

Netanyahu has said it looked “very likely” the co-pilot meant to down the aircraft. Saudi authorities are leading the interrogation, with Israel expected to take part in the investigation.