Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel will seek to establish the "root" of the co-pilot accused of trying to crash an Israel-bound flydubai flight, as authorities investigate the dramatic cockpit attack that forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu said Israel would possibly participate in the investigation into the incident, including examining the background and motives of the attacker. He also raised the possibility of determining whether the co-pilot had accomplices or whether Iran had any involvement, while stressing that it was too early to draw conclusions.
"We'll get to the root of this attacker, whether he had accomplices, whether Iran was behind it. I think we'll find out very soon," Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News. He added that the co-pilot was being investigated by Saudi authorities and could subsequently be taken to the United Arab Emirates, where he had originated.
Cockpit struggle sent aircraft into steep descent
The incident took place aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot stabbed the captain during the flight and then apparently attempted to crash the Boeing 737. The aircraft subsequently went into a steep descent, losing nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to flight-tracking data cited by Reuters.
The flight transmitted emergency signals before being diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities said the aircraft landed safely and the passengers were accounted for.
Netanyahu said passengers and a crew member managed to enter the cockpit and overpower the attacker. A second pair of flydubai pilots who were travelling on the aircraft then helped stabilise and land the plane.
Indian captain praised for helping avert disaster
The captain attacked during the incident was Indian pilot Smit Machchhar. Netanyahu praised him for his actions after he was stabbed, saying he fought back and helped create an opportunity for passengers and crew to regain control of the cockpit.
According to Netanyahu's account, Machchhar, despite being seriously injured, managed to release the cockpit door. This allowed passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the co-pilot. Netanyahu later described the Indian captain as a hero and credited him with helping save the lives of the 174 people aboard the flight.
Machchhar was taken to hospital after the aircraft landed in Tabuk. The co-pilot was also arrested and taken into custody by Saudi authorities for questioning.
Israel to tighten checks on pilots
The incident has prompted Israel to review security procedures for pilots operating flights into the country.
A spokesperson for Netanyahu's office said Israel would increase checks on pilots flying into Israel, including those working for foreign airlines. Authorities are expected to establish the identities of pilots operating such flights and conduct additional security checks.
Israel's transport authorities have also indicated that a joint investigation will be conducted with the country's defence establishment. However, the precise motive behind the cockpit attack has not yet been established.
Flydubai has separately said that an altercation occurred on the flight deck and that the underlying reasons and motives remained unknown and subject to a formal investigation. The airline has urged against premature speculation while authorities establish what happened.
Co-pilot's motive remains under investigation
The co-pilot has been identified by Israeli officials as an Omani national, although his identity and nationality have not been independently verified by all authorities. He remains under investigation in Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu's comments about a possible Iranian connection were presented as a line of inquiry rather than an established finding. He said it was too early to determine whether Iran had any role in the incident.
The incident is being treated seriously by Israeli authorities, particularly because the flight was carrying passengers to Israel. The country's security agencies have been instructed to prepare for potential additional threats, while the investigation into the co-pilot's background, motives and actions continues.
The 174 passengers, including 27 children, were eventually taken to Israel on replacement aircraft after the emergency landing in Tabuk. Flydubai has suspended its flights to and from Israel while the investigation is under way.