The flydubai pilot who attacked his captain and is suspected of attempting to crash the aircraft allegedly planned to hijack and crash an earlier flight to Tel Aviv but decided against it, according to a source briefed on the UAE investigation, cited by Reuters.
According to Reuters, a source with knowledge of the UAE investigation, said the co-pilot had operated a flight to Tel Aviv earlier this year and had allegedly intended to hijack and crash the aircraft.
The source said he decided against doing so because he knew someone onboard the flight.
Two Israeli officials also told Reuters that the flydubai pilot had planned the attack before joining the carrier and had searched for airlines that fly to Tel Aviv.
A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia on September 30, 2026, after transmitting emergency transponder codes, including one used to indicate unlawful interference with an aircraft.
The first officer attacked the captain with an axe located in the cockpit for emergency use.
Despite being stabbed, the captain managed to open the cockpit door which allowed passengers to gain entry to the flight deck and restrain the attacker.
An additional flydubai pilot on the aircraft was able to take control of the aircraft after it fell more than 14,000 ft in roughly 30 seconds.
UAE authorities are officially treating the incident as a terrorist attack. While UAE authorities have not publicly disclosed the co-pilot’s identity or confirmed his nationality, sources familiar with the investigation have told media outlets that he is Omani.
On October 3, 2026, UAE authorities said the “co-pilot began executing his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the flight deck using a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft”.
Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, Attorney-General of the UAE, has said that investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances, motives, and any links related to the incident, as well as to complete technical examinations and analysis of physical and digital evidence.