Abu Dhabi: UAE authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation and rely on official information as the investigation into the Flydubai flight incident continues.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv before being diverted and safely landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The UAE authorities said they would not comment on claims or details circulating publicly if doing so could affect the investigation. They appealed to people to avoid sharing unverified information until the findings are officially released.
The investigation is being conducted by a team formed by the UAE Public Prosecution following an order from the Attorney-General. Authorities are examining the circumstances and possible motives behind the incident and are coordinating with relevant regional and international agencies.
At the same time, Captain Smit Machchhar has received widespread praise for his actions during the emergency. The GCAA commended the Indian pilot, other crew members and passengers for their quick response, saying their actions helped bring the situation under control and prevented more serious consequences.
Captain Machchhar has since returned safely to the UAE and is receiving medical treatment. The GCAA said he is in good condition.
The incident involved a serious altercation in the cockpit while the aircraft was in flight. The plane was eventually diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely. Authorities in several countries are involved in examining different aspects of the incident.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also stressed that the investigation will look into the circumstances and motives surrounding the incident, including whether there was any prior planning or possible connection to terrorist activity. Officials have not announced final findings on the motive.
The UAE authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and that any confirmed developments will be communicated through official channels once the necessary procedures are completed.
