1 hr ago
Saudi Arabia Opens Safety Probe into Flydubai Cockpit Attack
Saudi Arabia says it will investigate a dangerous incident on a flydubai flight.
The plane was in Saudi airspace when the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe.
The incident happened on September 30.
A safety investigation looks for ways to make flying safer, rather than trying to decide who is guilty.
The UAE is also conducting a separate criminal investigation.
The UAE would take part in the safety investigation because the plane was registered there and flydubai is based there.
Israel says it wants to join the safety probe because most people on board were Israeli.
Israel's air accident agency says it is still waiting for an invitation.
The US could also be closely involved because the plane was a Boeing 737 MAX designed and built there.
Saudi Arabia has notified specialist aviation agencies abroad that it will investigate flight FZ1073 under international safety rules, according to three people close to the matter.
The probe follows a September 30 incident in which the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe while the aircraft was in Saudi airspace.
The UAE has opened a separate criminal investigation; its prosecutor general called the incident a “terrorist attack.”
The UAE would automatically be involved in the safety probe because the aircraft was registered there and flydubai is based in Dubai.
Israel has offered to participate, but its air accident agency chief said it had not received an invitation; Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have diplomatic relations.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia is leading the safety investigation; the UAE is conducting a separate criminal investigation. Israel has offered to participate.
- What
- A safety probe is being launched into the cockpit attack on flydubai flight FZ1073.
- Where
- The aircraft was in Saudi airspace when the co-pilot attacked the captain.
- When
- The attack occurred on September 30; the probe was reported on October 7.
- Why
- The investigation is intended to examine potential aviation-safety risks and make safety recommendations.
Safety investigation
Criminal investigation and participation
Purpose of investigations
Safety investigation
A safety probe examines risks and can make recommendations without attempting to assign blame.
Criminal investigation and participation
The UAE has opened a separate criminal investigation, and its prosecutor general called the incident a “terrorist attack.”
Israel's involvement
Safety investigation
Israel has offered to participate in the Saudi-led safety investigation because Israeli citizens made up nearly all the passengers.
Criminal investigation and participation
Israel's air accident agency director said it had not received an invitation; Saudi Arabia has not publicly responded to the report.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073
- Incident date
- September 30
- Incident
- The co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe while the aircraft was in Saudi airspace.
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 MAX
- People on board
- 172; nearly all were Israeli citizens.
- Safety investigation
- Saudi Arabia notified specialist aviation agencies abroad that it would investigate under international rules, according to three people close to the matter.
- Separate investigation
- The UAE has opened a criminal investigation.
- Israel's participation
- Israel offered to take part but had not been invited, according to its air accident agency director.
Quotes
Ofer Vaknin
Director of Israel’s Aircraft Safety Investigation Authority
“We are still waiting for a notification from Saudi Arabia to invite us to take a part in the investigation.”
theprint.in
livemint.com
Sources
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