New Delhi : An Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and attempting to crash flydubai Flight FZ1073 is being described by a fellow pilot as a “religious extremist.” The fellow pilot, speaking to Israel’s Channel 16, said the Omani national had joined flydubai only about eight months ago, and he prayed excessively throughout the day and refused to shake hands with women.
The initial probe into the Omani co-pilot will be conducted by Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft made its emergency landing, after which he is expected to be handed over to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for further investigation, according to The Times of Israel. This was confirmed by Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who told CBS News on Thursday that he is currently being questioned in Saudi Arabia.
A senior Israeli official told CBS News on Thursday that UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally told Netanyahu on Wednesday that he expected Saudi authorities to transfer the pilot to the UAE for questioning. The UAE has separately ordered an investigation into the circumstances and motives behind the incident, including whether it was connected to terrorist activity or was planned in advance.
Other passengers and crew members joined the effort to restrain the attacker. Hayoun said he then took hold of the controls and pulled them in the direction he had seen on television. The crew later took control of the aircraft. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door and resist the attacker, allowing passengers and crew to overpower him. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited the Indian captain with saving all 174 people onboard.
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