UAE Launches Probe Into Diverted Flydubai Flight After Cockpit Stabbing
UAE Launches Probe Into Diverted Flydubai Flight After Cockpit Stabbing
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has launched a formal investigation into the mid-air incident aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain during Wednesday’s Dubai to Tel Aviv service.
The probe will examine the motive, the weapon used and any possible terror link, as questions mount over how an Omani national came to crew a flight to Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed the wounded Indian pilot and the passengers for averting what he called a disaster.
What happened aboard FZ1073
The Boeing 737 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people on board, most of them Israeli citizens, when the first officer allegedly attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar, with a knife at cruising altitude.
Despite serious injuries, the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty crew to rush in and overpower the attacker. Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber by trade, led the charge into the cockpit and helped restrain the co-pilot.
The struggle sent the aircraft into a steep descent, dropping more than 17,000 feet in under two minutes, before replacement pilots stabilised it and diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Photographs after landing showed most of the rudder was missing.
Both pilots were hospitalised; the Indian captain was later reported stable. One passenger was also hospitalised, while the rest suffered minor injuries.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 probe: who is investigating
Saudi authorities arrested the first officer on landing and questioned passengers and cabin crew for seven hours. An initial Saudi assessment concluded the co-pilot intended to deliberately crash the plane, though investigators have not yet established a motive or whether he acted alone.
On Thursday, the UAE launched its own formal investigation. Netanyahu said UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had agreed to let Israel take part, and that investigators could soon determine any Iranian connection, though it was too early to say.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called it an attempted terrorist attack, though officials caution the investigation is still under way. Flydubai has opened an internal inquiry and temporarily suspended Israel flights.
The first officer was an Omani national who had worked for the airline for less than a year. Flydubai was obliged to exclude Omani pilots from Tel Aviv operations, since Oman and Israel have no diplomatic ties. Investigators are examining how the rostering happened.
Praise for the pilot and passengers
Netanyahu paid tribute to the captain’s actions. “My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery,” he said. “Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker, preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster.”
He added: “Without his daring-do, without his courage, we would have faced a disaster of unbelievable proportions.”
India’s prime minister also praised Machchhar, writing that “his valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy” and that India was proud of him.
Trump, citing Netanyahu, said Hayoun had led the charge and righted the aircraft. “We worked as a team,” Hayoun said. “We managed.”
Riyadh reportedly turned down Israeli requests to send planes to retrieve the passengers, according to Dawn. The passengers were later flown to Tel Aviv on a separate Flydubai aircraft.
What is Flydubai flight FZ1073?
A scheduled Flydubai service from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain.
Who is investigating the incident?
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel. The UAE opened a formal investigation on October 1, which Israel will join, and Flydubai is running its own inquiry.
Were there any fatalities?
No. All passengers were accounted for. Both pilots were hospitalised, with the captain later reported stable, and one passenger was also hospitalised.
Will Flydubai keep flying to Israel?
UAE-Israel flights are temporarily suspended while authorities establish the facts. Israel will introduce tighter security checks on pilots flying into the country.
