Flydubai Cockpit Attack: Saudi Arabia hands over Omani co-pilot to UAE as probe into ᴀssault on Captain Smit Machchhar intensifies
Saudi Arabia has handed over the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking flydubai captain Smit Machchhar to the UAE, where investigators are probing the cockpit ᴀssault.
Saudi Arabia has handed over the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a flydubai flight to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as the investigation into the cockpit ᴀssault and an alleged attempt to crash the aircraft continues.
The incident involved flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it was diverted to the Saudi city of Tabuk on Wednesday. The aircraft made a safe emergency landing following a violent confrontation inside the cockpit. Investigators are now working to establish what led to the ᴀssault and whether the co-pilot attempted to take control of the aircraft or deliberately tried to crash it.
Saudi Arabia Completes Initial Investigation
Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry said its preliminary investigation indicated that the co-pilot had ᴀssaulted the captain during the flight. Following the emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi authorities detained the Omani co-pilot and questioned him as part of their initial investigation. He was subsequently handed over to UAE authorities for further legal proceedings and investigation.
The preliminary inquiry was conducted in coordination with security teams from the UAE. The ministry also said both pilots received hospital treatment for their injuries and were medically cleared before leaving for Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning.
UAE Judicial Authorities Take Over Probe
The UAE has launched its own investigation into the incident. Its judicial authorities will examine the circumstances of the confrontation and determine what happened inside the cockpit before the aircraft was diverted.
The investigation will focus on the sequence of events during the flight, the alleged ᴀssault on the captain and the circumstances that led to the emergency landing. Authorities are also expected to examine whether the co-pilot attempted to seize control of the aircraft or deliberately tried to bring it down. The findings of the investigation are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
✓ Ryan Mitchell
Saudi Arabia has handed over the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking flydubai captain Smit Machchhar to the UAE, where investigators are probing the cockpit ᴀssault. Saudi Arabia…