Israeli investigators are expected to Question Omani Co-Pilot in Flydubai Crash Attempt

 Israeli investigators are expected to question the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and attempting to bring down a Flydubai passenger aircraft bound for Tel Aviv, after the suspect was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, according to a source briefed on the investigation.

The development marks a new stage in the international investigation into the September 30 incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers and crew when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and sent the aircraft into a dramatic descent.

The plane eventually landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after passengers and crew members intervened and reserve pilots aboard the aircraft helped regain control. The co-pilot was detained by Saudi authorities and transferred to the UAE on Thursday.

UAE to Lead the Investigation

The United Arab Emirates has launched a formal investigation aimed at establishing the circumstances and motive behind the incident.

According to the UAE state news agency, authorities will examine whether the attack was connected to terrorist activity, whether it was planned in advance or whether the suspect acted under outside direction.

A source familiar with the investigation said the questioning of the suspect will be conducted by the UAE's State Security Department, which reports directly to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The investigation is expected to involve close coordination between Emirati security agencies and their international counterparts. Public disclosures about the investigation are likely to be tightly coordinated.

Reuters reported Friday that an Israeli government official said Israeli investigators will participate in the UAE-led investigation alongside Emirati authorities, examining both what happened aboard the aircraft and the suspect's background and possible motive.

Israel’s Role Kept Deliberately Quiet

The extent of Israel's direct involvement remains unclear.

Israeli officials are expected to question the suspect, but Reuters reported that the source did not specify which Israeli agency would conduct the questioning. The UAE has not publicly confirmed whether Israeli officials will have direct access to the co-pilot.

The sensitivity reflects the close but carefully managed relationship between Israel and the UAE. Abu Dhabi has strong security ties with Jerusalem but is also likely to seek to maintain control over a case involving a UAE-registered airline and an incident that took place aboard a flight departing from Dubai.

The cooperation between the countries has deepened since the 2020 Abraham Accords and, more recently, amid the regional conflict involving Iran. Israel has also provided the UAE with defensive capabilities during the Iranian attacks, further strengthening security cooperation between the two countries.

Netanyahu: Suspect Was Radically Indoctrinated

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that the Omani co-pilot had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and appeared to have been suicidal.

On Friday, Netanyahu said Israel was investigating whether the suspect had been acting on instructions from another party.

“We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” Netanyahu said in a video statement released by his office.

Israeli security officials have so far not identified evidence that the co-pilot was acting on behalf of an outside organization or state. Reuters reported that the initial Israeli assessment was that he had acted alone, although the investigation remains open.

Iran Connection Remains Unproven

The possibility of an Iranian connection has nevertheless become part of the political discussion surrounding the case.

U.S. President Donald Trump was asked whether the suspect had links to Iran and replied that, according to what he was hearing, there could be such a connection and that the United States was examining it. Trump also warned that Washington would respond forcefully if Iran were ultimately found responsible.

At present, however, there is no publicly established evidence linking Iran to the attack.

The UAE investigation is specifically examining whether the suspect acted independently or received prior planning or direction.

A 16,625-Foot Plunge in Seconds

The seriousness of the incident became clear when flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft descended approximately 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds while flying over Saudi Arabia.

The captain, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, was attacked in the cockpit. He was subsequently praised by Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Passengers also played a critical role in preventing a catastrophe, helping restrain the co-pilot and allowing other pilots aboard the aircraft to assist in restoring control.

Israeli Passengers Praised as Heroes

Among those credited with intervening was Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayon, who fought the Omani co-pilot and helped gain initial control of the aircraft.

Hayon and his wife, Meital, later met U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who praised the couple publicly.

Huckabee described Hayon and his wife as an inspiration and presented Hayon with a MAGA cap signed by President Trump. He also joked about a possible Hollywood adaptation of the story, saying Meital had suggested Tom Cruise could play her husband.

Legal and Diplomatic Complications

The suspect's transfer to the UAE also creates a complex legal and diplomatic situation.

The Omani co-pilot could face severe penalties under UAE law if convicted of the alleged offenses. However, the investigation is still at an early stage, and any future prosecution is likely to take into account the UAE's relations with Oman as well as the international dimensions of the case.

The suspect's identity has not been publicly released beyond his Omani nationality. Omani authorities have not publicly commented on the incident.

A Wider Aviation Security Investigation

The investigation now involves several countries: the UAE as the airline's home country, Saudi Arabia where the aircraft landed and the suspect was initially detained, Israel as the destination country and home of most of the passengers, and Oman as the suspect's country of nationality.

The United States and other intelligence services are also likely to be monitoring the investigation given the potential terrorist and geopolitical implications, although no complete picture of international intelligence cooperation has been made public.

The investigators are expected to examine the suspect's communications, social-media activity, personal history, movements and possible ideological influences, as well as the security and crew-screening procedures that allowed him to serve as co-pilot on an Israel-bound flight.

The Critical Question: Lone Actor or Something More?

For now, the central unresolved question is whether the attack was the action of a radicalized lone individual or part of a wider plot.

The UAE has explicitly included possible terrorism, prior planning and external direction in its investigation. Israel says it is examining whether someone sent or directed the suspect, while security officials have so far not identified evidence of such involvement.

Until that evidence emerges, the Iran connection remains an allegation under investigation rather than an established fact.

What is already clear is that a commercial flight carrying 174 people came within seconds of catastrophe — and that passengers, crew members and pilots aboard the aircraft intervened before the plane could be brought down.

The investigation has now moved to Abu Dhabi, where UAE authorities will lead the next stage, with Israeli investigators expected to participate directly.