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FlyDubai Attacker Had Been Banned From Flying by Oman for Radical Views: Report

  • On Wednesday, an Omani pilot previously banned for radical views allegedly attempted to crash FlyDubai flight FZ1073 bound for Israel. Captain Smit Machchhar fought back and passengers restrained the attacker, forcing an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
  • Omani authorities identified the suspect as a security risk in 2024, grounding him from flying for one year after finding extremist materials in his possession. Despite this suspension, the UAE-based carrier FlyDubai later hired him for a cockpit role.
  • Passenger Yaniv Hayoun pulled back on the controls to steady the plane after the attacker stabbed Machchhar and sent it into a dive. Dr. Shota Musaev, who helped restrain the bloodied suspect, said the attacker asked him, "Kill me please, kill me please."
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday the suspect underwent "Islamist radicalization" and "came to crash the plane with all passengers on board." Saudi authorities transferred the attacker to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, where he is said to be "cooperating" with investigators.
  • Emirati-Led authorities are investigating the suspect's background and motives, with Israeli officials expected to participate in questioning. Investigators remain focused on determining how FlyDubai cleared the suspect for cockpit duty despite his prior suspension by Omani officials.
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Wall Street JournalWall Street Journal
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News Corp AustraliaNews Corp Australia
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FlyDubai Attacker Had Been Banned From Flying by Oman for Radical Views

·New York, United States
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Australian Financial Review broke the news in Sydney, Australia on Friday, October 2, 2026.
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