What to know about pilot who attempted to hijack Flydubai flight

Investigators are looking into possible ties to Iran and links to 'terrorist activity'

Published Oct 01, 2026  •  Last updated 26 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Assaf Regavim (centre), who helped subdue the pilot during a Flydubai flight, smiles as he talks with friends and relatives amidst waiting crowds at Ben Gurion Airport in Tzafria, Israel, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Photo by Erik Marmor /Getty Images

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Very little is known about the pilot accused of attacking his captain and trying to hijack a flight Wednesday from Dubai to Israel.

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The suspect, who has been medically cleared to travel, is being flown to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, reports CNN, citing Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry.

Israel will also be heavily involved in the investigation.

Who is the accused?

The man accused of stabbing Indian co-pilot Smit Machchhar in mid-air while attempting to take over the controls and causing chaos on the plane is a citizen of Oman.

Saudi authorities have yet to release the suspect’s name.

CNN reported the suspect was with the airline for eight months before the attack occurred.

What else is known?

The attacker is “someone characterized by very strange behaviour, especially around religious observances that were out of step with his surroundings,” a fellow pilot told a reporter for Israel’s Channel 16, according to a translation.

It was also reported that the suspect would pray multiple times a day and wouldn’t shake hands with women.

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The unnamed pilot said the airline was negligent and could have cost the lives of 180 passengers due to a protocol that states flights to Israel are to be only operated by Emirati or Indian pilots.

“There’s no other way to put it — we hired a terrorist,” the pilot, who requested to remain anonymous, told the outlet.

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Is Iran involved in any way?

The UAE is investigating the incident to see if the attack is linked to “terrorist activity.”

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNN that it was too early to speculate if Iran is behind the attempted hijacking, but he later told Fox News that the suspect “underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.”

U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News that Iran may be linked to the attacker.

What weapon was used?

While officials say the captain was stabbed during the struggle, no details have been released about the weapon allegedly used.

According to Netanyahu, the pilot was either stabbed or hit with an axe.

Israel’s PM suggested the attacker could have brought a weapon on board as he may not have been required to pass through a metal detector.

Planes are also required to be equipped with a crash axe under aviation safety rules.

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