Dubai, October 1: The United Arab Emirates has ordered a detailed investigation into the incident aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, including whether the episode had any connection to terrorist activity or prior planning.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi directed a specialised team to investigate what happened aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit left both pilots injured. The plane reportedly lost a significant amount of altitude during the incident before passengers and crew members intervened and helped bring the situation under control.
The investigation will examine the circumstances of the incident, the possible motive and whether there was any prior planning or outside direction. UAE authorities have also urged the public and media not to rely on unverified reports while the inquiry is under way.
The injured captain was identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar. He was taken to a hospital in Tabuk after the aircraft landed and was reported to be in stable condition. Passengers and other crew members helped restrain the suspected attacker, allowing the aircraft to be landed safely.
The exact motive behind the incident remains unclear. Israeli officials have raised the possibility that the attack was terror-related, but authorities are still investigating and no final conclusion has been announced.
The UAE investigation is being conducted in coordination with the General Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant agencies. Investigators are expected to examine evidence from the aircraft and question those involved to establish a clear sequence of events.
The incident has drawn attention to aviation security after the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The passengers later continued their journey to Israel on another flight.
Authorities have said the investigation will focus on establishing the facts and determining whether the cockpit incident was an isolated act or involved any wider planning or links to a terrorist purpose.
