On Wednesday, there was an altercation between the pilot and the co-pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Israel. The situation escalated to such an extent that the plane had to change its route and make an emergency landing at the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Now the Ministry of Interior of Saudi Arabia has given information about the preliminary investigation of this incident. According to the ministry, investigations have revealed that the co-pilot assaulted Captain Sumit Machar. Both were injured during this. Along with Saudi officials, the UAE security team was also involved in the investigation. This is the first official statement from the Saudi government on the incident.
Flydubai said on the day of the incident that there was a dispute in the cockpit. After this, the crew members took control of the plane and diverted it safely to Tabuk. According to the Saudi Interior Ministry, the plane landed safely at 9:45 a.m. local time after receiving permission for an emergency landing. The plane was carrying 174 passengers and 8 crew members. Everyone was given the necessary medical assistance. At around 5:40 pm, all passengers were put on another flight to flydubai. The rest of the crew members also returned to Dubai in another plane. The captain and co-pilot were admitted to hospital for treatment based on their condition. As the health of both improved, the doctors gave permission for further journey. On Thursday morning, both went to Abu Dhabi along with the UAE security team.
UAE is probing the terror angle
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has also started an investigation in this matter. The investigation will find out what led to the fight between the two and whether it involved terrorist activity, terrorist intent or a premeditated plan. The UAE investigation team consists of government experts. The investigation team has started working closely with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies. The investigating officers have been instructed to collect information and evidence related to the incident and find out the truth of the entire matter.
The Attorney General of the UAE has appealed to the public not to speculate about the case and not to spread unverified information before the investigation is complete. The UAE has also made it clear that its judicial system has the right to investigate the matter. This is because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies the UAE flag. Therefore, if an offense is committed on an aircraft even outside the country, UAE law applies to it.
A discussion of Indian captain’s bravery
The captain of the plane, Smit Machar, is an Indian citizen. He was seriously injured in the incident. According to the Indian Embassy, his condition was stable in a hospital in Tabuk on Wednesday. He was flown to Abu Dhabi for further treatment on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Smit Machar a hero. He said that despite being seriously injured, Machar showed courage and helped avert a major incident by saving the lives of passengers.
