Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai have reportedly been detained in the United Arab Emirates as investigators widen their inquiry into the alleged attempt to hijack and crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on September 30, during which Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured in a cockpit attack.
According to reports citing Maldivian news outlet Adhadhu, the two pilots were taken into custody by UAE authorities on suspicion of possible links to the alleged plot involving Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami.
Both pilots are reportedly among the six Maldivian nationals employed by flydubai and had previously worked alongside Al-Hammami. They are also said to have operated flights to Israel.
The Maldivian Embassy in the UAE has reportedly informed their families about the detentions. However, neither the Maldivian President's Office nor the country's Foreign Ministry has publicly confirmed the development, and no formal charges against the two pilots have been announced.
Investigation widens
The reported detentions mark a fresh development in the investigation into the September 30 incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The two Maldivian pilots were reportedly detained on October 3, three days after the attack. Investigators are examining their possible connections with Al-Hammami, although the nature of their suspected involvement has not been established.
Reports indicate that the detained pilots were among the airline's more recent Maldivian recruits.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed evidence linking either pilot to the alleged hijacking attempt. Their reported association with Al-Hammami does not, by itself, establish involvement in the attack.
Indian captain attacked
The investigation centres on an incident in which Al-Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Machchhar with an axe inside the cockpit of the Boeing 737 aircraft.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers and six crew members when the incident occurred.
According to accounts of the attack, Al-Hammami allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft after seriously injuring the Indian captain.
Despite sustaining deep injuries to his head and hands, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene.
The accused co-pilot was subsequently restrained, while two other pilots aboard the aircraft took control and diverted the flight to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
The aircraft landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport, averting a potentially catastrophic incident.
Flydubai initially described the confrontation as an altercation on the flight deck.
Passenger raises fresh allegations
The investigation has also drawn attention to allegations made by a passenger identified as Assaf, who claimed that certain crew members behaved suspiciously after the accused co-pilot was restrained.
According to his account, some crew members attempted to loosen the accused man's restraints and prevented passengers from recording videos.
He further alleged that an unidentified pill was offered to the injured Indian captain during the emergency.
The passenger also claimed that the flight had been staffed exclusively by male cabin crew members, raising questions about whether the accused might have received assistance from others aboard the aircraft.
However, these allegations remain unverified and have not been confirmed by investigating authorities.
There is no publicly established evidence that other crew members participated in the alleged plot.
NIA registers case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also registered a case in connection with the incident under the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The investigation was initiated following directions from the Union government, with Indian authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the attack on an Indian national aboard an international commercial flight.
The case concerns allegations that the Omani co-pilot attempted to hijack the aircraft or cause it to crash.
Reports have suggested that the intended target may have been Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, although investigators have not publicly established the alleged motive or the full circumstances of the suspected plot.
The NIA investigation is separate from the inquiries being conducted by authorities in the UAE and other countries connected with the incident.
Captain recovering in UAE
Captain Machchhar, who has more than 13 years of commercial flying experience on Boeing 737 aircraft, has been associated with flydubai since 2022.
Following the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, he received medical treatment before being transferred to a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
The Ministry of External Affairs said on October 7 that his condition was improving following surgery and that he was responding well to treatment.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in the UAE was maintaining regular contact with the captain's family, doctors, hospital authorities and local officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Machchhar and praised his actions during the emergency, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended his role in preventing a possible disaster.
Questions over aviation security
The reported detention of two additional pilots has raised further questions about possible accomplices and the screening of personnel entrusted with operating commercial aircraft.
Investigators are now examining whether the September 30 incident was an isolated act or involved a wider network.
The latest reports, however, do not establish that the detained Maldivian pilots participated in planning or carrying out the attack.
With no formal charges publicly announced against them, their precise status and the evidence being examined by UAE authorities remain unclear.
The investigation continues as authorities seek to determine the motive behind the cockpit assault and whether others had any involvement in the alleged hijacking attempt.