Witnesses say Omani co-pilot showed signs of extremism before attack on captain
![Indian pilot Smit Machar, captain of flydubai Flight FZ 1073, in an image released by Israel's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday. [AFP]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/10/02/news-p.v1.20261002.1923a6a8a1664baf906067cec881b788_P1.jpg)
The co-pilot who attempted to deliberately crash a flydubai passenger jet has been transferred to Abu Dhabi, UAE, where authorities are investigating possible links to terrorism, CNN reported Thursday (local time).
According to Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry, Indian captain Smit Machar and the Omani co-pilot — the prime suspect — received initial treatment in Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft made an emergency landing, before both were transferred to Abu Dhabi. Investigators are working to determine why the co-pilot attacked the captain and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.
UAE authorities said they are investigating whether the incident has any connection to terrorism. The probe is being conducted in the UAE because, under international aviation law, jurisdiction over crimes committed aboard an aircraft is granted first to the country where the aircraft is registered. Flydubai, a sister airline of Emirates, is registered in the UAE.
No clear motive has been established, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed the suspect was "indoctrinated with Islamist extremist ideology," raising the possibility of a terrorist act.
US President Donald Trump also raised the possibility of an Iranian connection.
A preliminary investigation by Saudi authorities confirmed that the co-pilot assaulted the captain, leaving both injured, but questions remain — including what weapon was used and whether there were any gaps in the background checks conducted when the suspect was hired as a co-pilot.
The co-pilot's identity has not been fully disclosed, though he is believed to be Omani. People who knew him said he had displayed extremist tendencies.
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