The United Arab Emirates’ attorney general has ordered a team of prosecutors to investigate an incident aboard a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv that diverted to Saudi Arabia, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.
The investigation will examine all circumstances and motives surrounding the incident, the ministry said. That includes any possible connection to terrorist activity or intent and whether the incident involved prior planning or direction. The statement did not say whether investigators had found any such link.
In Israel, Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Doron Spielman told Fox News the motive is still under investigation. “But if this was terror, those responsible should know one thing: the long arm of Israel will find them,” he said.
Attorney General Hamad Al Shamsi formed the UAE team from specialized members of the Public Prosecution, according to the ministry. It said UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and flies its flag, so UAE law applies to crimes committed on board even outside the country’s territory.
The ministry said the investigation follows flydubai’s announcement that an altercation occurred in the flight deck. According to the ministry, the announcement said flydubai crew members traveling on board intervened and secured the aircraft. Flight FZ1073, from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv, landed safely at Tabuk Airport.
Accounts of What Happened
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given a more detailed account. In a statement posted on X, he said one pilot stabbed the other and apparently tried to crash the plane.
A passenger told him that he and a crew member broke into the cockpit and neutralized the pilot, Netanyahu said, and another flight crew on board then stabilized the plane.
In a later post, Netanyahu identified the pilot who was stabbed as Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national. He wrote that Machchhar, despite being seriously injured, fought back, opened the cockpit door and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. Netanyahu said the captain saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.
Netanyahu also met at Ben Gurion International Airport with Yaniv Hayun, whom his office described as the passenger who broke into the cockpit.
“You are a hero. You deserve a global medal of honor.”
Netanyahu said the pilot accused of the stabbing was arrested and is being interrogated by Saudi authorities. His accounts have not been independently verified. The UAE ministry’s statement did not mention a stabbing or identify any of the crew members involved.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar, writing that the captain fought valiantly without fearing for his own life. Modi said the pilot “prevented another 9/11 like attack from happening” and that 1.4 billion Indians were praying for his well-being.
The President of India said the nation is proud of Machchhar. According to the statement, the captain remained determined to protect others after being seriously injured, and his quick response helped prevent a major tragedy.
Earlier Reports
Cluster 2 Airports said Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport received a distress call from the flight at 8:44 a.m. local time Wednesday requesting an emergency landing. The plane landed safely at 9:45 a.m., according to the notice.
The captain and first officer were found to be injured and were taken to a hospital, the notice said. In its initial statement, flydubai said the flight “experienced an incident while en route” and that all passengers were safe and accounted for.
Netanyahu said nearly all passengers were Israelis and that all were out of danger.
The UAE thanked Saudi authorities for their cooperation and handling of the incident. The ministry urged the public to rely on official sources and avoid circulating speculation or unverified information until the investigation is completed and its findings are announced.
