Pilot suspected of Flydubai attack transferred to UAE as investigation unfolds

Passengers are sharing harrowing firsthand accounts of the chaos onboard. Key questions about the attack remain unanswered.

Updated 3:21 PM EDT, Thu October 1, 2026



“Death in front of our eyes.” Passengers recount to CNN's Jeremy Diamond attack onboard Flydubai flight

Here's the latest

• Search for motive: Investigators are still working to determine why a pilot allegedly attacked his captain and tried to seize control of a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the alleged attacker “underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.”

• About the suspect: The accused pilot has not been publicly identified, but Israel says he is an Omani national. The suspect was medically cleared and is being transferred by a security team to the United Arab Emirates, which says it is investigating whether the violence was linked to “terrorist activity.”

• Chaos and heroism onboard: Passengers who helped overpower the attacker are sharing more about the terrifying experience. Capt. Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who has been hailed for his heroism in thwarting the suspected hijacking attempt, continues to receive medical attention after being transferred to the United Arab Emirates.


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