UAE investigation has found that the co-pilot of a flydubai flight tried to carry out a terrorist act during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. Attorney General Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the cockpit with a crash axe. He also tried to take control of the aircraft while it was flying. A crash axe is an emergency tool kept in an aircraft cockpit. Crew members can use it to break doors or panels during an emergency.
UAE Investigation Is Still Ongoing
The investigation is still looking into the reason behind the attack. Authorities are also checking if the co-pilot had links with other people. Investigators are checking physical and digital evidence from the aircraft. They are also carrying out technical checks as part of the investigation. Dr Al Shamsi said authorities will share the final findings after they complete the required legal steps.
The latest update came two days after UAE authorities said they were checking if the incident had any link to terrorist activity, a terrorist plan or outside direction. Dr Al Shamsi had ordered a special Public Prosecution team to investigate the case.
Flight Diverted to Saudi Arabia
The incident happened on flydubai flight FZ1073 as it travelled from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv. The aircraft changed its route and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after the fight in the cockpit. Flydubai said crew members on the flight stepped in and secured the aircraft.
The airline first said the flight had faced an incident while flying to Tel Aviv. At that time, officials had not shared details about what caused the incident or why it happened. Social media users shared different claims about the incident before authorities released more information. Officials later confirmed that a fight had taken place in the cockpit. Crew members stepped in, and some crew members suffered injuries before the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk. Flydubai said the incident did not affect its other scheduled flights.
Why UAE Law Applies
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the case falls under UAE law because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies under the Emirati flag. UAE law allows authorities to investigate crimes committed on board an aircraft, even when the aircraft is outside the UAE.
What Saudi Arabia Found
Saudi Arabia released its first findings on October 1, before the UAE shared its latest investigation results. The Saudi Ministry of Interior said the co-pilot had attacked the captain. Saudi investigators worked with a UAE security team during the early investigation. They found that the co-pilot and captain had an altercation during the flight. Both the captain and co-pilot suffered injuries during the incident.
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