DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 1 (Nationwide Times) — The United Arab Emirates has ordered an investigation into a cockpit incident aboard a flydubai flight bound for Israel, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said authorities would examine whether the co-pilot acted with others.
The UAE prosecutor general ordered investigators to examine the incident, including whether it was linked to terrorist activity, the UAE state news agency reported. No motive has been established.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Sept. 30 when an altercation on the flight deck prompted a diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The airline said its crew secured the aircraft, which landed safely.
Netanyahu said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and apparently tried to crash the plane. Israeli officials said passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot, allowing two other flydubai pilots aboard to land it. Netanyahu said Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot and were questioning him.
Netanyahu’s office identified the captain as Smit Machchhar. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said he was in stable condition. Israeli officials said the passengers reached Israel safely.
“We’ll get to the root of this attacker, whether he had accomplices, whether Iran was behind it,” Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. Asked whether Iran was involved, he said it was too early to say. He also said Israel might take part in the investigation.
Flydubai said the reasons for the incident were unknown and cautioned against speculation. The airline suspended flights to and from Israel during the investigation.
