Flydubai co-pilot’s New Zealand flight training examined after alleged cockpit stabbing
New Zealand police said the Flydubai co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain during a Sept. 30 flight had trained there from November 2018 to May 2019. Investigators are reviewing his New Zealand history as the wider incident is treated as a possible terrorism case.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Based on two sources with available article excerpts. Source-linked claims are not independent confirmation.
Event date: The alleged cockpit attack occurred on September 30, before the reporting about the co-pilot’s training was published. [1][2]
What happened
On September 30, the Flydubai aircraft was traveling from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport when the Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit. The account says the aircraft then lost almost 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai Co-Pilot Had Flight Training in New Zealand, Police Saytheepochtimes.com · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 7:02 PM UTC
Passengers and crew members reportedly subdued the co-pilot. Reserve pilots took the controls, and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia; officials opened investigations and were treating the incident as a possible act of terrorism. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai Co-Pilot Had Flight Training in New Zealand, Police Saytheepochtimes.com · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 7:02 PM UTC
New Zealand Assistant Commissioner Michael Johnson said immigration records show the co-pilot arrived there on November 30, 2018, and departed on May 23, 2019, using a six-month student visa. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- flydubai co-pilot completed portion of his flight training in New Zealand, say policegeo.tv · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 4:49 AM UTC
- Flydubai Co-Pilot Had Flight Training in New Zealand, Police Saytheepochtimes.com · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 7:02 PM UTC
Johnson said the co-pilot completed part of his flight training in New Zealand for a UK-based company that no longer operates there. New Zealand police are reviewing records and examining his time in the country. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- flydubai co-pilot completed portion of his flight training in New Zealand, say policegeo.tv · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 4:49 AM UTC
- Flydubai Co-Pilot Had Flight Training in New Zealand, Police Saytheepochtimes.com · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 7:02 PM UTC
The inquiry is not limited to New Zealand: the Australian Federal Police said its Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team was examining the suspect’s connections to Australia, while the available accounts do not establish a final motive. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai Co-Pilot Had Flight Training in New Zealand, Police Saytheepochtimes.com · Article published: Oct 6, 2026, 7:02 PM UTC
Context from the sources
The flight was carrying mostly Israeli passengers, according to the account describing the emergency, but the available reporting does not establish whether any passenger or crew member other than the captain was injured. [2]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
2 source links · 2 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] flydubai co-pilot completed portion of his flight training in New Zealand, say policegeo.tvReferenced for: detail 3, detail 4
- [2] Flydubai Co-Pilot Had Flight Training in New Zealand, Police Saytheepochtimes.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3, detail 4, detail 5
What this could mean for you
Additional screening or investigative attention could affect aviation operations if authorities identify a relevant security gap.
The alleged cockpit assault and cross-border training history may prompt reviews of pilot vetting and aviation security procedures.
Reported basis: [1][2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Authorities would first need to establish findings that justify operational or screening changes.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Investigators formally link the alleged attack to a broader security or terrorism network.
Authorities identify weaknesses in pilot vetting or cockpit-access procedures.
Pressure eases if…
Investigators determine that the alleged incident was isolated and identify no relevant security concerns in the co-pilot’s overseas history.
Still unclear
The available reporting does not establish the co-pilot’s motive, the captain’s condition, or whether the alleged attack will be formally classified as terrorism.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (2)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
Police say co-pilot was in New Zealand on six-month student visa. Man lived in New Zealand between November 2018 and May 2019. Police reviewing records…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
The Flydubai co-pilot who allegedly attempted to hijack and crash an aircraft carrying mostly Israeli passengers last week completed part of his flight training in…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.