The stabbing on Indian pilot Smit Machchhar by Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami on flydubai flight has now brought six countries officially into the fold. The attack on September 30 was on a flight flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when it was forced to make an emergency landing after the stabbing of Indian pilot by his Omani co pilot.The incident unfolded on September 30 when flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people on board, went into a sharp descent after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. The jet plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds amid the fight.Machchhar, an Indian national, managed to open the cockpit door despite being injured, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely and the alleged attacker was detained. The UAE is doing the direct investigation, with Israel, and now Australia and other authorities also examining different aspects of the case.So, here’s how 6 countries have gotten “mixed-up” in one incident.
India: Pilot Smit Machchhar hailed as a hero
India’s connection to the incident centres on Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who was attacked by his Omani co-pilot while flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot and enabling two other pilots aboard the aircraft to take control. The plane was then safely landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.Machchhar’s actions drew praise from both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. PM Modi called him a “hero” and said his courage helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy and even held a video call with him. Netanyahu also hailed Machchhar for saving the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and also called him while the pilot in recovering in Abu Dhabi hospital. Indian authorities in Saudi Arabia have been assisting Machchhar and his family, while he has been recovering from his injuries.Also read: Machchhar tells Netanyahu chilling flydubai cockpit ordeal
Israel: The destination
The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, carrying more than 170 passengers and crew, most of them Israeli nationals. After the cockpit attack sent the aircraft plunging, the plane was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. The passengers later continued their journey to Israel on a replacement flydubai aircraft.The incident has since raised questions about security checks for foreign airlines flying into Israel. Netanyahu ordered tighter checks on pilots flying to Israel, while Israeli investigators are expected to participate in the UAE-led probe. The issue has become particularly sensitive because Oman, the co-pilot’s home country, does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Netanyahu has questioned how an Omani national came to be assigned to an Israel-bound flight.Also read: Did Israel ignore warnings? UAE shared info about flydubai crew & Omani co-pilot
Oman: The co-pilot and questions over his past
The alleged attacker, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, is an Omani national. UAE authorities have described the incident as an attempted “terrorist attack”, saying he attacked the captain with a crash axe and tried to take control of the aircraft. The motive remains under investigation, and Oman has not publicly commented on the case.The biggest question around Oman is al-Hammami’s reported history. People familiar with the investigation told Reuters that he had previously been employed by Oman Air, while other reports said he had been barred from flying because of concerns over extremist views and was moved to an administrative role. He later left Oman Air. Reuters also reported that he underwent three months of training with Royal Air Maroc in 2025 but was not selected for employment. These details have intensified questions over how he subsequently came to work for flydubai and operate a flight to Israel.
Saudi Arabia: Where the plane landed
Saudi Arabia became part of the story because the aircraft was flying over Saudi territory when the cockpit attack sent it into a steep descent. After passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot, reserve pilots aboard the flight took control and landed the aircraft at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot there.The country also became an early centre of the investigation. Netanyahu said Saudi authorities would interrogate the co-pilot, while Indian authorities in Saudi Arabia worked with local officials to assist Machchhar and his family. Thepilot was subsequently transferred from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi after his medical condition improved.Also read: Crew of flydubai demanded release of co-pilot after he attacked Smit, claim flyers
UAE: The flight, airline and the investigation
The UAE is central to the case because the flight originated in Dubai and is operated by flydubai, which is owned by the Dubai government. More importantly, the UAE is leading the investigation into what happened aboard Flight FZ1073. On October 3, UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi officially described the incident as an attempted “terrorist attack”, saying the co-pilot used a cockpit crash axe to attack the captain and tried to take control of the aircraft.The UAE is also facing questions over how al-Hammami was cleared to work as a flydubai pilot given the reports about his reported employment history. Israeli officials have raised concerns about the security vetting of foreign crew, while the UAE-led investigation is examining the co-pilot’s motives and whether anyone else was involved. Israel is expected to participate in the probe.
Australia: Intelligence file on co-pilot?
Australia has entered the picture because co-pilot al-Hammami reportedly studied in Melbourne. Reuters reported that two sources briefed on the investigation said he attended a university there, while local reports identified the institution as RMIT University.Australia is now launching an investigation into the “links to Australia” of flydubai co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, confirmed that it was examining his links to Australia and if he was radicalised there, as per ABC Australia.“The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (VIC JCTT), comprising the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO, can confirm it is investigating the man’s links to Australia. An update will be provided at an appropriate time,” an Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokesperson said, referring to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.Two sources briefed on the investigation told Reuters that al-Hammami had studied at a university in Melbourne, with local media identifying it as RMIT University. The Financial Times separately also reported that al-Hammami had allegedly visited radical mosques and extremist websites while in Australia, and that Australian intelligence services had held a file on him.
