International
UAE OPENS INVESTIGATION INTO FLYDUBAI COCKPIT ATTACK AS ISRAEL SEEKS ANSWERS
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have launched an investigation into a serious incident aboard a Flydubai passenger flight after the aircraft w...
By Wavers Multimedia
The incident occurred on Wednesday on flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people aboard. The co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain during the flight, sending the aircraft into a steep descent before passengers and crew intervened.
PASSENGERS HELP REGAIN CONTROL
The situation became critical when the injured captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the attacker.
A reserve crew that was travelling on the aircraft also became involved and helped take control of the plane. The aircraft subsequently landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
The plane had plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds while flying over Saudi Arabia.
Both pilots were injured and taken to hospital following the emergency landing.
UAE PROBES MOTIVE AND POSSIBLE PLANNING
The United Arab Emirates has begun investigating the circumstances and motives behind the incident.
Investigators are examining whether the incident was connected to terrorist activity or involved prior planning or direction.
UAE judicial authorities said the country has jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and operates under its flag. Authorities have also urged the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information while the investigation continues.
The attacker was identified by an Israeli official as an Omani national. Omani authorities had not publicly commented on the report.
ISRAEL LOOKS INTO POSSIBLE CONNECTIONS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would follow the investigation and could participate in the process.
Asked about possible Iranian involvement, Netanyahu said it was too early to determine whether Iran was connected to the incident. He also said investigators would seek to establish whether the attacker had accomplices or whether anyone else was behind the incident.
There has been no official confirmation establishing Iranian involvement.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had earlier said preliminary information indicated that the co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft and described him as a terrorist. Netanyahu, however, referred to the incident as a serious security incident while the investigation proceeds.
CAPTAIN PRAISED FOR PREVENTING DISASTER
The injured captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, has been praised for his actions during the emergency.
Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have both hailed Machchhar as a hero. Passengers who entered the cockpit and helped restrain the attacker have also been praised for their role in preventing the aircraft from crashing.
Investigations involving authorities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel are continuing as officials work to establish what happened inside the aircraft and the motive behind the attack.