Australia, New Zealand Probe Flydubai Co-Pilot’s Past Amid Hijack Investigation
by Deutsche Welle · abp LiveThe Flydubai pilot from Oman suspected of trying to crash a plane in Israel spent time in Oceania as a young man. Police in both Australia, New Zealand said they would probe his links to the nations.
Written By : Deutsche Welle | Updated at : 05 Oct 2026 11:09 PM (IST)
Australia and New Zealand investigate Flydubai co-pilot’s past after alleged cockpit attack and hijack attempt.
Source : DW
Show Quick Read
Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom
- He studied engineering at Melbourne RMIT; visa cancelled.
Edited by: Wesley Dockery
Security agencies in Australia and New Zealand on Monday said they were investigating the time that the co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 spent in the countries in his youth
The Omani national is in custody in the United Arab Emirates. He is suspected of attacking his pilot Smit Machchhar with the emergency ax in the cockpit, and attempting to hijack the plane and crash it intentionally in Israel.
The pilot and passengers combined to thwart his attempts and restrain him. After a near-vertical dive lasting around 30 seconds during the fight for control, the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
What did Australian and New Zealand authorities say about the case?
The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) said on Monday that the man had enrolled at the Melbourne university in the state of Victoria, but said that he did not successfully complete an engineering qualification.
A spokesman for the Australian Federal Police said that the Victorian Counter Terrorism Team — comprising federal poice, Victorian state police, and the ASIO intelligence agency — was "investigating the man's links to Australia."
Based on Australian media reports, the man arrived on an Australian student visa in 2014, enrolled in 2015, left in 2017, and had his visa canceled in 2019.
Similarly, police in New Zealand said on Monday that the suspect spent time there, without specifying exactly where or when.
"We are looking into the time he spent here, alongside other agencies where appropriate," New Zealand Police assistant commissioner Micahel Johnson told the RNZ news outlet, issuing similar comments elsewhere. "We are unable to comment further at this time."
Flight FZ1073's pilot, Indian national Machchhar, also spent some of his formative years in New Zealand. He completed his early flight training some 18 years ago with the Mainland Air carrier.
"I was really pleased to read how he handled the situation," the airline's chief executive Philip Kean told RNZ. "He got through and he got the door open so the other people could save the airplane, because if he hadn't done that, it would have been a disaster."
(Disclaimer: This report first appeared on Deutsche Welle, and has been republished on ABP Live as part of a special arrangement. Apart from the headline, no changes have been made in the report by ABP Live.)
About the author Deutsche Welle
Deutsche Welle is Germany's international broadcaster. As an independent media outlet, Deutsche Welle provides unbiased news and information in 32 languages around the world.
Read More
Published at : 05 Oct 2026 11:09 PM (IST)
Tags :
New Zealand Australia FLyDubai . Australia FZ1073
Breaking News, Anytime, Anywhere - Download ABPLIVE on Android and iOS now!
Advertisement
Top Headlines
Russian drones attack ship in Black Sea, one Indian injured, two killed: Authorities
World
London-Chicago Flight Descends 28,000 Feet Over Ireland, Triggers Emergency Alert
World
Nigeria Military Aircraft Crashes En Route To Lagos, All 32 Aboard Killed
World
Indian Citizens On Board Civilian Ship Hit By Russian Drones In Black Sea: Zelenskyy
Advertisement
Videos
Advertisement
Photo Gallery
From Sydney To Beijing: Cities Light Up To Welcome 2026
World
Massive Earthquake Triggers Tsunami In Russia — Photos
World
Pics From Situation Room As US Strikes Iran's Nuclear Sites
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Trending Opinion
Nayanima Basu
OPINION | Recalibrating India-Canada Bilateral Relations
Opinion