UAE opens probe into Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight incident
Indian Ambassador to UAE Deepak Mittal meets Captain Smit Machchhar; says he is ''in good health and recovering well''
The UAE on Thursday (October 1) said it has opened an investigation into an incident aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that forced the aircraft to divert and land in Saudi Arabia.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that the United Arab Emirates is "closely following" the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073, which was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar fought off his co-pilot, who allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft, which had to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (September 30). Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.
Investigation ordered
UAE Attorney-General Counsellor Hamad Al Shamsi had ordered the formation of a team comprising specialised members of the Public Prosecution to investigate the circumstances and causes of the incident, it said.
The development follows flydubai’s announcement that an altercation had occurred in the flight deck, prompting flydubai crew members travelling on board to intervene and secure the aircraft.
Also Read: Who is Captain Smit Machchhar? Indian Flydubai pilot injured in cockpit confrontation
The UAE's foreign ministry said that the UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the investigation, in accordance with applicable legislation, as the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies its flag. Accordingly, UAE law applies to crimes committed on board the aircraft, even when they occur outside UAE territory, it added.
Flydubai is an Emirati government-owned airline based in Dubai.
Scope of the probe
The investigation includes examining all circumstances and motives surrounding the incident, including any possible connection to terrorist activity or intent, and whether it involved prior planning or direction, the ministry said.
The investigation team has begun its work in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the relevant authorities in the UAE, the state-run WAM news agency reported.
Also Read: 'There was a lot of blood’: How passengers responded to the Flydubai cockpit attack
The UAE also expressed its appreciation to the Saudi authorities for their cooperation and handling of the incident.
The foreign ministry also stressed the importance of relying on information and data issued by official sources and avoiding the circulation of speculation or unreliable information until the investigation is completed.
Co-pilot arrested
The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia and the co-pilot, believed to be an Omani national, had been arrested and was being questioned by Saudi authorities, according to authorities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that it was too early to say who was behind the incident.
Also Read: Brave Indian pilot saves the day, passengers fly plane to safety: What happened on Flydubai flight
"It’s too early to say, the attacking pilot is now being investigated in Saudi Arabia. I think he’ll be taken to the Emirates, where he comes from, or at least where he flew off from, and we’ll be following and possibly also participating in this investigation," Netanyahu told Fox News.
‘Capt Smit recovering well’: Indian ambassador to UAE
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal on Thursday said he was "very reassured" to meet Captain Smit Machchhar, who is "in good health and recovering well" after sustaining serious injuries while foiling an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash a flydubai flight.
"Very reassured to meet Capt Smit. Thank the UAE government for their support and medical care being extended," Mittal said in a social media post. "We are proud of Capt Smit for his bravery to save so many lives and avert a tragedy," he said in another post on X.
He earlier met the pilot's family and conveyed full support of the Government of India in ensuring the welfare and well-being of the "Indian Hero”.
It is understood that Machchhar was shifted to the UAE, a day after he was admitted to a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia to receive necessary medical attention.India to decide whether to issue travel advisory
Indian civil aviation authorities will hold "internal deliberations" and decide whether there is a need to issue an aviation security-related advisory in the wake of the flydubai incident, according to a senior official.
To queries related to the flydubai incident and whether any security-related advisory will be issued, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha on Thursday said the issue is under examination, and there would be internal deliberations.
Also Read: Flydubai incident: Netanyahu praises stabbed pilot for ‘extraordinary bravery’
"... in case some advisory is to be issued, obviously we will put it up to the higher authorities for taking a decision on that," Sinha said at a briefing in the national capital.
Without providing specific details, he said the questions on the issue can be answered after the internal deliberations.
(With agency inputs)