An Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai aircraft allegedly intended to seize control of the plane, kill the captain and crash it into a skyscraper in Tel Aviv, according to an investigation published by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.
The emergency lights on the Boeing 737 activate when the aircraft loses its primary electrical supply and switches to battery power, according to the newspaper.
Israel has classified the incident as a “terror attack” and is investigating how an Omani pilot received clearance to fly into Tel Aviv despite its security policy. The Italian newspaper based its reconstruction on accounts from people involved in the incident, crew reports submitted to aviation authorities, testimonies from airport staff and air traffic controllers, and data obtained from specialised platforms. The cabin’s emergency lighting, which was visible in videos recorded during the struggle, has also drawn investigators’ attention. The report questioned why the emergency lights activated while the aircraft was still flying at high altitude. It explained that such lights are designed to help passengers evacuate during emergencies or when an aircraft is on the ground. This could happen if the generators were switched off or both engines were shut down. The circumstances surrounding the activation of the lights have added another element to the investigation into the cockpit incident.
The investigation is examining both the alleged intentions behind the attack and the security procedures that allowed the co-pilot to operate the flight.
