- Co-pilot accused of attacking captain transferred to UAE.
- Flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit struggle.
- UAE authorities investigating possible terror connection.
flydubai Plane Incident: The flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the aircraft’s captain has been transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday where authorities are investigating the incident. This comes after the flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a struggle inside the cockpit while the aircraft was travelling towards Israel.
Crew Members Taken To Abu Dhabi
According to Reuters, Saudi authorities said both the captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, and the co-pilot received medical treatment and were later cleared by doctors. They then left for Abu Dhabi from Saudi Arabia with an Emirati security team. A statement from the Saudi Interior Ministry noted that an initial inquiry found that the co-pilot had attacked the captain during the flight.
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Israeli Investigators To Join UAE Probe
Israeli investigators are now expected to work with UAE authorities as the inquiry into the Flydubai plane incident moves forward. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesperson, David Mencer, told Fox News that investigators could help establish the co-pilot’s possible motive including whether he had links to anyone else and what was his actual plan.
What’s The flydubai Plane Incident?
The incident happened on Wednesday while the flydubai aircraft, carrying 174 passengers was travelling towards Israel. Following the struggle in the cockpit, the flight was diverted and forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk. Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft dropped by about 17,000 feet in roughly one minute. The co-pilot, who attacked the captain, was identified as an Omani national by Israeli officials. However, UAE authorities have not yet officially confirmed his nationality.
UAE Probing Possible Terror Connection
As per Reuters, the UAE’s chief prosecutor has launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities are also examining whether there could have been any connection to terrorist activity or intent. Earlier, Netanyahu said the co-pilot had allegedly been exposed to what he described as Islamist radical indoctrination. However, he didn’t provide details to support his claim.
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