By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON – UAE investigators on Sunday said that the 29-year-old co-pilot passed flydubai’s professional and security checks, with no warning signs of extremist views detected before the September 30 cockpit attack.
The United Arab Emirates has said a flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the aircraft’s Indian captain with an emergency axe had allegedly planned to seize the jet and crash it into the passenger terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
UAE prosecutors said the alleged suicide plot was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the US and was intended to cause the maximum possible loss of life.
The September 30 incident unfolded aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was scheduled to travel from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The 29-year-old Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit and tried to take control of the aircraft.
Machchhar resisted the assault and attempted to summon help.
A pilot assigned to operate the return flight, was also aboard the aircraft, became suspicious after noticing the cockpit door opening and closing repeatedly and tried to enter using the access code.
He found the co-pilot attacking Machchhar.
A cabin crew member and several passengers then helped restrain the suspect and move the injured captain to safety.
The captain and co-pilot assigned to the return flight subsequently took control of the aircraft, diverted it and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE Public Prosecution said its investigation found that the suspect had travelled on two previous flights to Tel Aviv as part of his preparations.
Investigators said those journeys were used to familiarize himself with the flight route and Ben Gurion Airport before the alleged plot was put into action on his third trip to Tel Aviv on September 30.
Prosecutors also said the suspect drew inspiration from the 9/11 attacks and had developed the idea of using an aircraft for a similar attack.
The investigation traced signs of his alleged radicalization to 2017, when he was studying in Australia.
According to the UAE Attorney-General, the suspect later prepared himself psychologically and physically for the attack, including through exposure to extremist material and boxing training.
Investigators also reviewed how he had been recruited by flydubai.
The UAE said he had satisfied the airline’s professional and security requirements, including holding a valid pilot’s licence, submitted a certificate of good conduct and undergoing the required checks.
The authorities said those procedures had not revealed signs of extremist beliefs or an intention to carry out an attack.
The suspect has told investigators that he acted alone, according to the UAE prosecution.
Authorities are continuing to examine that claim and are investigating whether any accomplices or other links were involved.
The Public Prosecution is also reviewing recordings, technical reports and other evidence before releasing further findings.
