Dubai-Tel Aviv flight scare: Netanyahu says co-pilot shouted 'kill me', was 'suicidal, radicalised'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight had undergone Islamist radicalisation and appeared to be suicidal.

The incident occurred on Wednesday after the aircraft dropped thousands of feet within minutes while flying towards Israel. The captain, Capt. Smit Machchhar, an Indian citizen, was stabbed during the incident but survived. Passengers and crew members intervened after the attack, while two reserve pilots helped regain control of the aircraft and land safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu cites possible radicalisation

Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination.

"We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination," he said, adding that the assessment was based on the man's "personal information".

Netanyahu also said the co-pilot shouted to the crew after being restrained.

"Kill me, kill me," the man reportedly shouted.

"It's clear he was suicidal, that's not a question," Netanyahu said, adding that it "looks very likely" that the co-pilot intended to bring down the aircraft.

He cautioned that the investigation was still underway. "If you couple that with what I just told you about the Islamist tendencies, that radicalisation that are found in his background, I think that'll give us a pretty good clue," he said. "But again, I don't make conclusions yet. But that's the indications we have now."

Captain survives after cockpit attack

Witnesses said passengers helped overpower the co-pilot after the captain was attacked. A dentist travelling on the flight reportedly provided first aid to Machchhar, who had suffered heavy bleeding.

Officials and passengers have described the attack as a stabbing. Netanyahu said the captain was either stabbed or struck with an axe, although details about the weapon have not been released.

The co-pilot, whose identity has not been made public, is an Omani national. He was detained in Saudi Arabia before being transferred to Abu Dhabi.

UAE to lead investigation

The United Arab Emirates said it would lead the investigation into whether the incident was connected to terrorism. Investigators are yet to determine the co-pilot's motive, whether he acted alone or whether he intended to crash the aircraft or divert it to another country.

Questions have also been raised over how the suspect cleared security checks for an Israel-bound flight. An Israeli security official told CNN that the Shin Bet is responsible for vetting airline personnel flying into Israel from the UAE.

Machchhar has been praised by both Netanyahu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role during the incident.