Investigation opens after co-pilot attacks captain on Israel-bound flydubai flight

Authorities are investigating why a co-pilot attacked the captain of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, causing the aircraft to plunge before passengers and crew subdued him and the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

Flight FZ1073 was carrying more than 170 people when the captain was stabbed about two hours into Wednesday’s journey. The aircraft descended more than 17,000 feet (5,200 metres), according to flight-tracking data cited by the BBC. Passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot, while a reserve crew was able to stabilise the plane and ultimately land it safely in Saudi Arabia.

The suspect, described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an Omani national, was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities. The United Arab Emirates has opened an investigation into whether the incident was connected to terrorism, while Saudi investigators are cooperating with the UAE, Oman, Israel and the United States.

Netanyahu said preliminary information indicated that the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination,” was suicidal and likely intended to bring down the aircraft. He said final conclusions had not been reached. A regional official told the Associated Press that investigators were considering possibilities including terrorism and mental illness. Israeli security officials cited by Reuters said their initial assessment was that the suspect probably acted alone and that they had not yet found Iranian involvement.

The injured captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, was reported to be in good condition and recovering in hospital.