Israeli officials to question co-pilot of flydubai flight

Israeli authorities are set to interrogate the co-pilot of a flydubai flight that narrowly avoided a potentially disastrous crash attempt, according to a confidential source. The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday, involved the co-pilot stabbing the captain of flydubai flight FZ1073, a commercial flight from Dubai en route to Tel Aviv, with over 170 passengers and crew on board.

Thanks to the swift actions of passengers and crew, the plane was safely landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was apprehended by Saudi authorities. Later, the co-pilot was handed over to UAE authorities, and Israeli investigators are anticipated to question him as part of the ongoing investigation. While the specific Israeli agency or body involved in the questioning remains undisclosed, an Israeli government official confirmed that Israeli investigators would collaborate with Emirati authorities in the inquiry, aiming to ascertain the events leading up to the incident and the motives behind the suspect's actions.

Meanwhile, the Indian pilot who was brutally stabbed by his co-pilot recounted his harrowing ordeal in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Smit Machchhar, who suffered injuries to his nose, head, and hands, described his efforts to open the cockpit door and gain control of the plane, ultimately allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot.

Modi commended Machchhar's bravery, stating that his quick thinking and presence of mind prevented potential loss of life and preserved the reputation of Indian pilots. The emotional Machchhar, who had been bleeding profusely, attributed his survival to divine intervention and recited a Hindu prayer to the monkey god Hanuman during the harrowing incident.