UAE orders probe into Flydubai cockpit stabbing on Israel-bound flight
Dubai, Oct 1 (UNI) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ordered an investigation into the stabbing of a Flydubai pilot aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, with authorities examining whether the incident is linked to "terrorist activity" or had been planned in advance.
UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered the probe into Wednesday's incident aboard Flight FZ1073, which was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit. The investigation will look into the circumstances and motives behind the incident, including whether it had any connection with "terrorist activity" or involved prior planning or direction, the UAE state news agency reported on Thursday.
The UAE said its judicial authorities have jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the country and operates under its flag. UAE law applies to offenses committed on board an aircraft "even if they occur outside the country's territory", it said. Flydubai said there had been an "altercation" in the cockpit and the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely. The airline said the reasons behind the incident were not yet known and cautioned against "premature speculation" while the investigation was under way.
The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority said the flight had "experienced a security incident that was brought under control." According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, during the flight, stabbing him in the cockpit. The aircraft then plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before passengers and crew intervened. Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot, while two other Flydubai pilots who were travelling on the flight helped regain control of the aircraft, allowing it to land safely in Tabuk.
The passengers later reached Tel Aviv on a replacement Flydubai aircraft, more than 10 hours after the incident. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would seek to establish what was behind the attack, including whether the co-pilot had accomplices or whether Iran was involved.
"We'll get to the root of this attacker, whether he had accomplices, whether Iran was behind it. I think we'll find out very soon," Netanyahu said in an interview with Fox News. Asked about possible Iranian involvement, Netanyahu said, "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 left, where he flew off from, and we'll be following and possibly also participating in this investigation."
An Israeli official identified the co-pilot as an Omani national. There was no immediate comment from Oman. Netanyahu described the incident as a "serious security incident" and said Saudi authorities would question the co-pilot. Machchhar was seriously injured in the attack but managed to open the cockpit door, according to the Israeli prime minister's office. Passengers then entered the cockpit and restrained the attacker. One of them, Asaf Rajuan, said he acted instinctively. "This is something you do without thinking, just running to save your daughter's life, your family's life," he said.
Israeli officials said 174 people were aboard the flight, most of them Israeli nationals. Saudi authorities said both pilots were taken to hospital after suffering injuries. India, meanwhile, rallied behind Machchhar, with the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi saying Ambassador Deepak Mittal and Consul General in Dubai Vishnu Vardhan Reddy had met his family and conveyed the government's support. "Amb @d_mittal73 & CG Dr. E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy met the family members of Captain Smit Machchhar to convey the Govt of India's unwavering support to the hero and his family.
India stands immensely proud of Captain Smit for his exceptional bravery and selfless service," the embassy said on X. Mittal separately wrote, X, "We are proud of Capt. Smit for his bravery to save so many lives and avert a tragedy. Just met the family and conveyed the greetings and full support of the Government of India in ensuring the welfare and wellbeing of the Indian Hero." Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Indian commercial pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a "hero" for displaying extraordinary courage while confronting a violent attack in the cockpit of a flydubai flight, saying his actions helped avert what could have become another 9/11-like aviation tragedy and save the lives of 174 people on board. In a post on social media platform X, Modi said Machchhar had demonstrated "the highest form of courage" by confronting the threat despite the danger to his own life.
"Captain Smit Machchhar has shown the world the highest form of courage. Without fearing for his own life, he fought valiantly and prevented another 9/11-like attack from happening. 140 crore Indians salute Captain Smit and are praying for his well-being," the Prime Minister said. In a separate message, Modi described Machchhar as a "HERO", saying that despite being seriously injured and facing the "gravest danger", the pilot displayed immense courage and an unwavering determination to protect the lives of those on board. Machchhar has more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience and around 9,750 flying hours, mainly on Boeing 737 aircraft.
He previously worked with SpiceJet for about 11 years and served as a Line Training Captain. Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues. The Dubai-Tel Aviv route is normally operated through Saudi and Jordanian airspace and is popular among Israeli travellers.
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