Passengers who helped overpower the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight have described what happened after the suspect was restrained inside the cockpit.
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, several passengers said the co-pilot repeatedly shouted, “Kill me, kill me,” after they had tied him down using a headphone cable.
The account adds another detail to the dramatic events aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar. The aircraft later made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
What Did the Co-Pilot Say After Being Restrained?
According to passenger Yaniv Hayun, the group used a headphone cable to restrain the attacker after gaining control of the situation.
Hayun told Netanyahu that the man then said, “Kill me, kill me,” in English.
The passengers told the Israeli prime minister that they interpreted the words as meaning the attacker knew his alleged attempt had failed and preferred to die rather than face the consequences. That interpretation came from the passengers; it has not been independently established as the suspect’s motive.
Netanyahu later referred to the same account while speaking to Fox News. He described the co-pilot as suicidal and said the remarks suggested that he may have intended to bring down the aircraft. However, authorities are still investigating the incident and the suspect’s motive.
Passengers Tied the Pilot With a Headphone Cable
The passengers said they initially did not know whether anyone else on the aircraft could be involved.
After the attack, they focused on preventing the co-pilot from reaching the aircraft controls again. Dr. Shota Musayev, a passenger who treated the injured captain, described how the group used a headphone cable to restrain the attacker.
The passengers also said they wanted the suspect to speak English so everyone around them could understand what he was saying.
“We tried to maintain control over the situation,” one passenger told Netanyahu, explaining that they could not immediately be certain whether another person was involved.
How Did the Flydubai Attack Begin?
The incident occurred while Flight FZ1073 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
Reports say the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. Machchhar was seriously injured but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and others to reach the cockpit.
The aircraft experienced a rapid descent during the emergency. Passengers rushed forward, while additional pilots who were travelling on the aircraft helped stabilize the flight.
The plane eventually diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Yaniv Hayun and Other Passengers Helped
Yaniv Hayun was among the passengers who intervened during the emergency.
Hayun later explained that he had seen aviation emergencies discussed on the Canadian documentary series Mayday, also known as Air Crash Investigation. He said that experience helped him understand what to do when the aircraft began experiencing serious problems.
Other passengers also played important roles. Dr. Shota Musayev provided medical assistance to Captain Machchhar after he was injured.
Netanyahu met Hayun, Or Pardilov, Dr. Shota Musayev and Sigalit Musayev after the incident. During the meeting, the passengers described the moments when they tried to regain control of the situation.
What Has Netanyahu Said About the Co-Pilot?
Netanyahu has made several statements about the suspected attack.
He said the Omani co-pilot had undergone what he described as “Islamist radical indoctrination.” An Israeli official also told The Times of Israel that the suspect had allegedly discussed killing Jews on social media.
Those claims are part of the information being discussed publicly, but the broader investigation into the attack and its motive is still underway. Netanyahu himself said it was too early to determine whether the suspect had links to Iran.
It is therefore important to distinguish between statements from Israeli officials and findings that have been formally established by investigators.
What Happens Next?
The Flydubai cockpit attack remains under investigation. Authorities are examining what happened inside the cockpit, how the attack was carried out and whether the co-pilot acted alone.
For the passengers involved, the flight quickly changed from an ordinary journey between Dubai and Tel Aviv into a life-threatening emergency.
Their account of the co-pilot saying “Kill me, kill me” after being restrained provides another piece of information about the chaotic moments following the attack. However, the meaning behind those words and the suspect’s wider motive will ultimately depend on the ongoing investigation and evidence collected by authorities.