Investigators examine motive after co-pilot attacks captain on Israel-bound flight

Authorities are investigating the motive behind an alleged mid-air attack by a co-pilot on the captain of a flyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, after passengers helped stabilise the aircraft and it landed in Saudi Arabia. The flight was carrying 174 people, most of them Israelis, from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv. The Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, was reportedly in stable condition after being stabbed, according to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

Passengers said the injured captain opened the cockpit door and allowed them to enter. They then restrained the co-pilot and helped manage the aircraft during a steep descent before it landed in Tabuk. A regional official briefed on the investigation said the suspect was an Omani citizen under arrest.

Authorities from Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE, the United States and Oman were involved in efforts to establish what happened and why. The official said possible explanations, including terrorism and mental illness, were being examined and that no scenario had been ruled out. The co-pilot’s name had not been released, and his condition was not known.

The UAE said its investigation team was examining whether the attack had a terrorist purpose. It said UAE authorities had jurisdiction because the aircraft was registered in the country and UAE law applied to crimes committed aboard it. Israel requested that the suspect be sent there for questioning, although it was unclear whether Saudi Arabia would agree.

Israeli officials were already assisting the inquiry, according to regional officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was too early to determine whether Iran was involved. FlyDubai said flights to and from Israel would be suspended.

Flight-tracking data indicated that the aircraft descended from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about a minute before landing in Tabuk.