What Led to the Dramatic Flight Diversion? Inside the Omani Copilot's Attack

A shocking incident unfolded on a flydubai flight to Israel when an Omani copilot attacked his captain, causing a perilous descent and emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Passengers described the chaos as they assisted the injured captain in regaining control of the aircraft. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed the copilot's arrest, while investigations continue into his motives. With heightened security concerns in the region, this incident raises questions about air travel safety. Read on for a detailed account of the events that transpired during this harrowing flight.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 1, 2026, 13:47 IST

Flight Chaos: Omani Copilot's Attack on Israeli-Bound Plane

Jerusalem: The investigation into the Omani copilot who attacked his captain during a flight to Israel continues, with authorities still unclear about his identity and motives. The incident caused the flydubai aircraft, which was transporting 174 passengers from the UAE to Tel Aviv, to make a perilous descent, ultimately landing in Saudi Arabia.

Passengers aboard the flight recounted the harrowing experience, noting how the injured Indian captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing them to assist in regaining control of the aircraft after a steep drop that resulted in damage to the plane's rudder.

One passenger, Asaf Rajuan, described the terrifying moment, stating, "We felt helpless, suspended in midair, and I didn’t know who to turn to. But it was all instinct to survive."

While Saudi and UAE officials have remained tight-lipped about the ongoing investigation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the copilot has been apprehended.

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia reported that Captain Smit Machchhar is now in stable condition, although details regarding the copilot's health remain unclear.

In a CNN interview, Netanyahu revealed that the assailant is an Omani national and is currently being interrogated in Saudi Arabia.

US President Donald Trump mentioned that he and Netanyahu discussed the incident, suggesting the copilot might be a terrorist or mentally unstable.

Netanyahu also communicated with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who consented to Israel's involvement in the suspect's interrogation.

Passengers included individuals from Israel, India, and the UAE, with four holding American citizenship, according to the US State Department.

In light of the incident, flydubai announced a temporary suspension of its flights to and from Israel.

Netanyahu had previously warned of increased security threats, coinciding with the upcoming anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, which has escalated the conflict in Gaza.

The flight, which took off from Dubai, experienced a rapid descent from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in just a minute, circling erratically near the Jordanian border before landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, approximately an hour later, as reported by Flightradar24.

A source who monitored the flight's communications with air traffic control noted that the aircraft was denied landing by both Saudi Arabia and Jordan before finally reaching Tabuk, with passengers screaming in the background. The pilot's voice was shaky as he declared a mayday and indicated a hijacking was in progress.

Air traffic control did not provide reasons for the landing refusals, and the source requested anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.