dexinwin DUBAI, Oct. 3— The investigation into the dramatic cockpit attack aboard a Flydubai passenger jet has taken a new turn, with sources reportedly saying that the Omani co-pilot who stabbed the captain admitted during questioning that he intended to crash the aircraft.
The claim has not yet been fully detailed in an official investigative report, and authorities are still examining the suspect's motive, background and whether anyone else was involved.
The incident occurred on Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Sept. 30 with 174 people aboard.
Co-Pilot Allegedly Admitted He Wanted to Crash the Plane
The flight was approaching Israel when the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit.
The captain was stabbed during the confrontation, while the aircraft subsequently began a dramatic descent.
According to information attributed to investigators, the suspect later admitted that his intention was not simply to attack the captain but to cause the aircraft to crash. Israeli officials had previously said preliminary information indicated that the attacker may have intended to bring the aircraft down.
If officially confirmed, the incident could be treated as a deliberate attempt to cause a mass-casualty aviation disaster rather than merely a violent confrontation between two pilots.
Aircraft Plunged Thousands of Feet in a Matter of Seconds
The aircraft's flight path shows just how serious the incident became.
The Boeing 737 was flying at roughly 34,000 feet when it suddenly lost a substantial amount of altitude. Reports based on flight-tracking data indicated a descent of roughly 14,000 to 17,000 feet within a very short period.
Despite being seriously wounded, Captain Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers and crew members then rushed into the cockpit and subdued the co-pilot. Two other pilots who were traveling on the aircraft also helped regain control of the plane.
The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
All 174 people on board survived.
Injured Captain Played a Crucial Role
The captain's actions became a critical part of the emergency response.
Machchhar later described realizing that the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude while he was injured inside the cockpit. He then made a final effort to open the cockpit door so that others could enter and intervene.
His action allowed passengers, crew members and other pilots to reach the cockpit and help regain control of the aircraft.
Indian officials later said Machchhar was recovering after receiving medical treatment.
Investigation Turns to the Co-Pilot's Background
The reported admission has raised broader questions about how the suspect was able to serve as a commercial airline co-pilot.
The Associated Press identified the suspect as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national. AP reported that he had previously been barred from flying in Oman amid concerns related to extremist views. His background is now part of the wider investigation.
However, authorities have not publicly established all of the claims surrounding his ideology, motive or possible connections to extremist organizations.
Those questions remain under investigation.
Multiple Authorities Investigating
The investigation now involves authorities in several countries.
Reuters reported that the suspect was detained after the aircraft landed and that Emirati and Israeli officials were involved in efforts to establish the motive and determine whether the incident involved advance planning or other participants.
Flydubai has said a full official investigation is underway and that the airline is cooperating with the relevant authorities.
Investigators are expected to focus on several key questions: whether the co-pilot deliberately planned to crash the aircraft, whether the attack was connected to an ideological motive, how the weapon entered the cockpit, and whether any warning signs had previously been identified.
174 Lives Were Put at Risk
The incident has highlighted the potentially catastrophic consequences of a violent attack inside an aircraft cockpit.
The combination of the captain being seriously injured, the aircraft's rapid descent and the subsequent intervention of passengers and other pilots created a chain of events in which a major disaster was narrowly avoided.
For now, investigators have not released a complete account of the suspect's alleged admission. The final determination of his motive, intent and possible connections will depend on the ongoing investigation.
What is already clear is that Flight FZ1073 came dangerously close to disaster before the injured captain, passengers, crew members and other pilots helped regain control and bring the aircraft safely to the ground.
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