Saudi launches investigation into Flydubai incident:Omani co-pilot to be handed over to UAE after probe

Saudi Arabia will conduct the preliminary investigation into the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, forcing the Boeing 737 to make an emergency diversion to Tabuk Airport. The incident occurred aboard flight FZ1073, after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The plane, carrying 174 people, was subsequently diverted and landed safely in the Saudi city. According to The Times of Israel, citing an Israeli official, the suspect is expected to be handed over to Emirati authorities after the Saudi inquiry concludes. The UAE will then conduct a separate investigation. Israeli officials reportedly expect the Emirati probe to provide more significant findings about what happened and the co-pilot’s motives. UAE launches separate judicial investigation The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has confirmed that its judicial authorities have opened a comprehensive investigation into the incident. UAE Attorney-General Counsellor Dr Hamad Al Shamsi has ordered the formation of a specialised Public Prosecution team to establish the precise circumstances and motives behind the disturbance. The UAE said its authorities retain jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and operates under its national flag. It said UAE law therefore applies to offences committed on board, even when the aircraft is outside UAE airspace. The UAE also thanked Saudi authorities for their rapid response in securing the aircraft and assisting with its safe landing. Pilot fought to regain control The attack reportedly unfolded while the aircraft was in mid-air on its journey from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Captain Machchhar was attacked by his Omani co-pilot, who allegedly used a knife to stab him before attempting to seize control of the aircraft. Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing other crew members and passengers to enter and intervene. The attacker was reportedly disarmed, while the aircraft was diverted towards Saudi Arabia and brought safely to the ground at Tabuk Airport. Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk following the landing. Indian pilot being moved to Abu Dhabi Machchhar, an Indian national and flydubai pilot, is now being transferred to Abu Dhabi for advanced medical treatment after sustaining multiple stab wounds during the cockpit assault. His actions in opening the cockpit door while seriously injured enabled the crew and passengers to intervene and helped the aircraft reach safety. All 174 people aboard the flight survived the incident. What happens next? The investigation will now involve authorities in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with the two countries expected to examine different aspects of the incident. Saudi authorities will first investigate the events surrounding the aircraft’s diversion and the suspect’s actions before transferring him to Emirati custody, according to the Israeli official cited by The Times of Israel. The subsequent UAE investigation will examine the causes and motives behind the alleged attack and the attempted takeover of the aircraft. The UAE has stressed that its judicial authorities have full legal jurisdiction over the case under national law. The incident has therefore triggered a cross-border investigation involving Saudi, Emirati and Israeli authorities, while the injured Indian captain continues to receive medical care. Netanyahu says co-pilot underwent radical Islamist indoctrination Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that the co-pilot who attacked Captain Smit Machchhar on board the flydubai flight on Wednesday had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination. Speaking to Fox News, the Israeli PM said that the pilot was currently being interrogated. Israeli investigators have joined the interrogation. Netanyahu said, ‘The attacker, the co-pilot who attacked the captain, is now being interrogated. What we know so far is that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination’. Netanyahu further revealed that, from the initial investigation, it appeared that the co-pilot was suicidal and was attempting to crash the plane.