Flydubai incident: Co-pilot’s motive unclear as probe begins
Investigators in the UAE and other countries were working on Thursday to determine the motive of the co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the captain of a Flydubai flight bound for Israel, sending the aircraft into a dangerous descent and forcing it to divert to Saudi Arabia.
The flight, carrying 174 people from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, was forced into an emergency landing after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit.
Israeli passengers aboard the aircraft described how the bloodied captain managed to open the cockpit door and allow them inside before they grappled with the co-pilot and helped stabilise the aircraft. The descent was so sharp that the plane’s rudder was torn away.
A regional official briefed on the investigation said the suspect was under arrest and that Saudi authorities were working with Israel and other countries, including the UAE, United States and Oman, to establish a motive. The official did not specify the extent of Israel’s involvement.
“All possible scenarios, from terrorism to mental disorders, are being looked into. Nothing is ruled out for now,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to discuss the investigation publicly.
Israeli officials to join questioning
Another regional official said Israeli intelligence and security officials were investigating the co-pilot in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has no formal diplomatic relations with Israel, although the two countries have maintained security and intelligence cooperation through alternative channels.
The UAE government said its investigation team had begun examining the motive behind the incident and whether it was linked to any terrorist purpose.
It added that UAE law applies to crimes committed aboard the aircraft.
Asked whether there were any indications of Iranian involvement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that it was “too early to say”.
He also told CNN that Israel had received no specific warning about the incident.
Netanyahu said he had also spoken with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who agreed that Israel would participate in questioning the suspect.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the passengers aboard the flight were from Israel, India and the UAE, while the US State Department said four passengers held American citizenship.
Flydubai has said it would suspend its flights to and from Israel.