UAE Official Brands Flydubai Incident a "Terrorist Act," Praises Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar
A UAE official has described the mid-air incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073 as a "terrorist act," according to an AFP report on Friday. The official lauded Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for his crucial role in ensuring the aircraft's safe landing in Saudi Arabia, following an alleged attack by his co-pilot. News18 India reported that Captain Machchhar foiled his Omani co-pilot's attempt to bring down the jet, which had over 170 people onboard.
The incident saw Captain Machchhar sustain injuries but he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene. Three Israeli passengers reportedly assisted in subduing the attacker, while two additional pilots who were onboard took control of the aircraft and landed it safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The flight had departed from Dubai International Airport and was bound for Tel Aviv when the altercation reportedly broke out in the cockpit, leading to its diversion. Flydubai confirmed that crew members onboard intervened and secured the aircraft.
This development follows a UAE order for a specialised investigation into the incident, which involved an alleged attempt by an Omani co-pilot to crash the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. The probe will meticulously examine the circumstances and motives, including any possible links to terrorist activity, prior planning, or direction. A statement from the UAE ministry noted that the investigation encompasses all surrounding circumstances and motives, explicitly including any connection to terrorist activity or intent, and whether it involved prior planning or direction.
The UAE has asserted its judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the investigation, given that the aircraft is registered in the UAE and operates under its flag. UAE law applies to crimes committed onboard the aircraft, even those occurring outside the country's territory. According to The Times of Israel, Saudi Arabia is set to conduct the initial investigation into the Omani co-pilot accused of the attempted crash before handing him over to the UAE for further inquiry.
What to watch: The ongoing investigation into the incident's motives and any potential terrorist links.
Editor's note: The draft covers the available information accurately and includes context from the provided summary and source text.
Synthesised from 2 independent reports on the same event. Details are attributed to the outlet that carried them; nothing outside these sources is published.