2 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia Transfers Flydubai Co-Pilot as Midair Stabbing Probed
A co-pilot on a flydubai airplane allegedly stabbed the captain while the plane was flying.
The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The plane dropped thousands of feet, but passengers and crew helped restrain the co-pilot.
Other pilots then helped control the airplane.
It landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
All 174 people survived.
The injured captain is being treated in Abu Dhabi and is out of danger.
Investigators are questioning the co-pilot and studying why the attack happened.
Some officials have mentioned possible radicalization or an Iranian connection, but those possibilities have not been confirmed.
Saudi Arabian authorities transferred the accused flydubai co-pilot to the United Arab Emirates for investigation.
The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar during Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The aircraft reportedly lost thousands of feet before passengers and crew subdued the suspect and other pilots regained control.
The plane diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and all 174 people aboard survived; the captain is recovering in Abu Dhabi.
Investigators are examining possible terrorism, Islamist radicalization, accomplices, prior planning, and a potential connection to Iran.
- Who
- The flydubai co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar; Saudi Arabian, United Arab Emirates, Israeli, and other investigators are examining the incident.
- What
- A co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to take control of a commercial aircraft.
- Where
- The flight traveled from Dubai to Tel Aviv, diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and the captain is under observation in Abu Dhabi.
- When
- The transfer was reported on Thursday local time; the article does not give the date of the flight or handover.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating the attack’s motive, including possible terrorism, radicalization, accomplices, prior planning, and a potential connection to Iran.
Possible Iranian or Islamist Connection
Connection Not Yet Confirmed
Potential motive and affiliation
Possible Iranian or Islamist Connection
Donald Trump said preliminary information suggested the co-pilot was linked to Iran, while Benjamin Netanyahu said the suspect underwent Islamist radical indoctrination and appeared suicidal.
Connection Not Yet Confirmed
Netanyahu previously said it was too early to definitively confirm an Iranian link, and Israeli officials said the investigation remains in its initial stages with all possibilities open.
Nature of the attack
Possible Iranian or Islamist Connection
Investigators are examining whether the assault was terrorism, involved accomplices or prior planning, and whether the co-pilot intended to crash the plane.
Connection Not Yet Confirmed
The article provides no confirmed motive or final determination that the attack was terrorism; authorities are still questioning the suspect and gathering evidence.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- People aboard
- 174; all survived
- Diversion
- The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Captain
- Smit Machchhar; reported out of danger and under medical observation in Abu Dhabi
- Suspect status
- The accused co-pilot was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates
- Investigation
- Authorities are examining motive, terrorism, radicalization, accomplices, and prior planning
Quotes
Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime minister of Israel discussing the investigation into the attack.
“The attacker, the co-pilot who attacked the captain, is now being interrogated. What we know so far is that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.”
deccanchronicle.com
“I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now.”
deccanchronicle.com
Michal Maayan
Spokesperson for Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Earlier today, Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke about the Islamist radical indoctrination of the Omani pilot, and it's absolutely an avenue we're investigating. However, everything is still open and closely examined.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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