JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain of a Flydubai passenger aircraft had undergone what he described as “Islamist radical indoctrination,” while stressing that investigators have not yet established the full motive behind the incident.

The comments came one day after Flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following a violent confrontation in the cockpit. The aircraft was carrying 174 people and landed safely after passengers and crew intervened.

Netanyahu Says Radicalisation Was Found in Suspect’s Background

Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said information gathered about the suspect indicated that he had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination. He also described the suspect as apparently suicidal and said the available information suggested that he may have intended to bring down the aircraft.

However, Netanyahu emphasized that he was not making a final conclusion about the motive. Reuters reported that the Israeli prime minister said the indications were being assessed as part of an ongoing investigation.

Motive Has Not Been Officially Established

Despite Netanyahu's comments, the precise reason for the cockpit attack remains unclear.

Flydubai said after the incident that the underlying reasons and motives were unknown and remained subject to a formal investigation. The airline urged parties involved not to engage in premature speculation while authorities gathered evidence.

The United Arab Emirates has also launched an investigation to establish the circumstances, motives and whether the incident involved terrorist activity, prior planning or direction.

What Happened on Flight FZ1073?

The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national.

According to reports, the aircraft subsequently entered a steep descent, losing almost 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and help restrain the attacker.

A reserve crew that was aboard the aircraft then helped regain control of the aircraft and ultimately landed it safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Captain Smit Machchhar Injured in the Attack

Captain Smit Machchhar suffered serious injuries during the confrontation but survived.

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said he was receiving treatment in a Saudi hospital and was in stable condition. His actions in opening the cockpit door despite his injuries were credited by passengers and officials with allowing others to intervene.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Netanyahu publicly praised Machchhar for his actions during the emergency.

Suspect Identified as Omani National

Israeli officials identified the alleged attacker as an Omani national. Omani authorities had not publicly commented on the identification at the time of the latest reports.

The suspect remained in Saudi custody following the emergency landing. Netanyahu said the investigation would examine the suspect's background and whether there were any accomplices or outside connections.

No Confirmed Iranian Connection

Netanyahu was also asked whether Iran could have been involved in the incident.

He said it was too early to determine whether the suspect had connections to Iran or anyone else. Reuters reported that there were no official Israeli suggestions of Iranian involvement at that stage, and Israeli security officials had not identified Iranian involvement.

This means claims linking the incident to Iran remain unconfirmed and should not be presented as established facts.

UAE Launches Its Own Investigation

The United Arab Emirates has opened an investigation because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and operates under its flag.

According to Reuters, UAE judicial authorities said investigators would examine the circumstances and motives and determine whether the incident had any connection to terrorism or prior planning or direction.

The investigation is expected to examine the suspect's background, actions aboard the aircraft and any possible communications or outside connections.

Saudi Arabia Has Not Publicly Detailed Its Investigation

The aircraft landed at Tabuk after the emergency, and Saudi authorities took control of the suspect.

Saudi Arabia has not publicly released detailed findings from its investigation, according to Reuters. Israeli officials have indicated that they want access to information concerning the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Security Questions Raised After the Incident

The incident has raised renewed questions about aviation security, particularly the possibility of a member of a flight crew becoming a threat while inside the cockpit.

The aircraft's rapid descent and the emergency signals transmitted during the incident prompted a major security response, including Israeli fighter aircraft being scrambled as authorities initially assessed the possibility of a hijacking.

The successful intervention by passengers and crew prevented the aircraft from continuing its dangerous descent.

Investigators Still Have Major Questions

Several key questions remain unanswered. Investigators need to establish why the co-pilot attacked the captain, whether the aircraft was deliberately placed into a dangerous descent, whether the suspect acted alone and whether there was any outside direction or planning.

Authorities are also examining the suspect's background, including the allegations about radicalisation made by Netanyahu.

Until investigators release further evidence, the motive should be treated as under investigation rather than conclusively established. Flydubai itself has specifically warned against premature conclusions.

PK-News.com Update

The Flydubai cockpit incident remains under investigation after a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an alleged attack by the co-pilot against the captain.

Netanyahu has now said that the suspect underwent what he called “Islamist radical indoctrination” and appeared to have been suicidal. However, the Israeli prime minister also acknowledged that he was not making a final conclusion about the motive. UAE authorities are independently investigating whether the incident involved terrorism, prior planning or direction.

The aircraft's safe landing was made possible after the wounded captain opened the cockpit door and passengers helped restrain the attacker, allowing a reserve crew to take control and land the aircraft safely.

This article was developed and researched by PK-News.com based on reports and official statements available on October 1, 2026. Further details may emerge as investigations in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel continue.