Passengers subdued flydubai co-pilot after alleged cockpit attack

New video shows passengers restraining the co-pilot of a flydubai flight after he allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar during a journey from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The footage, sourced from the Associated Press, shows the co-pilot pinned to the floor outside the cockpit. Machchhar is seen nearby with blood on his clothing and an oxygen mask.

The source material said it was unclear whose blood was visible on the co-pilot’s uniform. Passengers intervened after Machchhar opened the cockpit door before collapsing. Israeli passenger Assaf Rajuan was shown with a deep wound on his forehead, while Yaniv Hayun was among those who helped subdue the co-pilot.

Rajuan told Ynet News that passengers kept the alleged attacker neutralised for 50 minutes before the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia. Hayun said he also took control of the aircraft’s levers to prevent it from nosediving. The flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk, where the co-pilot was arrested.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot shouted, “Kill me, kill me” after being overpowered. Netanyahu described him as apparently suicidal and said investigators were examining whether he had been indoctrinated or had links to Iran. He said it was too early to determine whether Iran was involved.

Israeli officials described the incident as an attempted jihadist terror attack. However, Israeli and Emirati authorities were also investigating whether it was an attempted hijacking or a terrorist act, and the source material said the full motive remained unclear. The co-pilot’s name had not been publicly released in the supplied account.

The report said he was Omani and that investigators in Saudi Arabia could later transfer him to the United Arab Emirates. The investigation is examining the alleged assault, any possible accomplices and the circumstances surrounding the flight. The source material did not report formal findings by Saudi, Emirati or Israeli investigators.