Saudi probe finds co-pilot assaulted flydubai captain

Saudi authorities have determined that the co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 assaulted the captain during a cockpit altercation, which led to the flight making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred on Wednesday, involving 174 passengers and eight crew members. Both pilots were injured in the incident, requiring medical attention.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with a UAE security team, conducted preliminary investigations. These investigations established that an altercation took place in the flight deck, resulting in both pilots being injured. The findings do not specify a motive or provide details on how the confrontation began. UAE authorities are independently investigating the incident, focusing on the circumstances, motives, and potential connections to terrorist activity or planning.

The UAE has emphasized its jurisdiction over the matter due to the aircraft's registration in the country and its foreign flag. The passengers and crew were provided with medical care and were later evacuated on a replacement flydubai aircraft and later returned to Dubai on a separate airline flight. Flydubai confirmed the incident and stated that crew members intervened to secure the plane.

The captain, Smit Machchhar, is receiving further medical care in the UAE, with India's embassy reporting that he is in good health and recovering well. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously alleged that the co-pilot sought to crash the aircraft, but Saudi authorities and UAE investigators have not established these claims in their preliminary findings.