Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Saudi Arabia Opens Flydubai Safety Probe After Cockpit Attack
Saudi Arabia has started a safety investigation into an attack in the cockpit of a flydubai plane.
The incident happened on September 30 while the plane was flying through Saudi airspace.
The co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe, and the plane dropped sharply.
Everyone on board was safe.
The UAE is investigating the incident separately as a possible crime.
Safety investigators look for ways to make flying safer, rather than deciding who is guilty.
The United States and the UAE are expected to be involved in the safety investigation for reasons connected to the plane and airline.
Israel has asked to join, but says it has not received an invitation.
Investigators may look at pilot hiring and cockpit security.
Saudi Arabia has notified foreign aviation agencies that it will investigate flight FZ1073 under international rules, according to three people familiar with the matter.
On September 30, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe while the Boeing 737 MAX was in Saudi airspace; the plane plunged sharply, but all 172 people aboard were unhurt.
The UAE has opened a separate criminal investigation, and its prosecutor general called the incident a “terrorist attack.”
The UAE is expected to participate in the safety probe because the aircraft was registered there and flydubai is based in Dubai; the US National Transportation Safety Board also has a role because the aircraft was built in the United States.
Israel has offered to join the safety investigation but had not been invited; experts say the probe could examine pilot hiring and cockpit security, while seeking safety lessons rather than assigning blame.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia is leading the safety probe; the UAE is conducting a separate criminal investigation. The United States is represented through the National Transportation Safety Board, and Israel has offered to participate.
- What
- An air-safety investigation into the alleged cockpit attack on flydubai flight FZ1073.
- When
- The incident occurred on September 30; Saudi Arabia’s probe was reported on October 7.
- Where
- The aircraft was in Saudi airspace when the attack occurred.
- Why
- To examine possible aviation-safety lessons, including pilot hiring and cockpit security, without assigning blame.
Safety investigation
Criminal investigation and participation
Purpose of the investigations
Safety investigation
The Saudi-led safety probe is intended to identify safety lessons and make recommendations without assigning blame; experts say it could examine pilot hiring and cockpit security.
Criminal investigation and participation
The UAE is conducting a separate criminal investigation, and its prosecutor general called the incident a “terrorist attack.”
Israel’s participation
Safety investigation
Israel has offered to join the safety probe, and nearly all people aboard were Israeli citizens.
Criminal investigation and participation
Israel’s air accident agency head said the country had not received an invitation; he also said Israel might not need to participate because the aircraft had no operational or safety fault.
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073
- Incident date
- September 30
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 MAX
- People aboard
- 172; nearly all were Israeli citizens, and none were hurt
- Saudi probe
- Saudi Arabia notified foreign aviation agencies it would conduct a safety investigation under international rules, according to three people familiar with the matter
- UAE investigation
- The UAE opened a separate criminal investigation; its prosecutor general called the incident a “terrorist attack”
- Israel
- Israel offered to participate but had not been invited, according to its air accident agency head
- Possible safety topics
- Pilot hiring and cockpit security
Sources
Flydubai attack: Saudi probe could test global aviation rules and pilot hiring processes
Exclusive-Saudi Arabia launches air safety probe into flydubai incident, sources say – ThePrint – ReutersFeed
