UAE attorney-general says flydubai co-pilot attempted terrorist act on FZ1073
In short
The UAE's attorney-general said investigations into the flydubai flight FZ1073 incident showed the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act, attacking the captain inside the flight deck with a crash axe and trying to take control of the aircraft. The flight, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, and the attorney-general said inquiries into the circumstances, motives and any links are continuing. The captain, Smit Machchhar, has been praised for his actions and spoke by phone to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
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The attorney-general of the United Arab Emirates said investigations into the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 showed that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act. Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the co-pilot began executing his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the flight deck using a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft's flight controls. A crash axe is typically kept in a plane cockpit for use during emergencies, The National reported. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
The attorney-general said investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances, motives and any links related to the incident, as well as to complete technical examinations and analysis of physical and digital evidence. The final results will be announced once all necessary procedures are concluded, he said. The National reported that Dr Al Shamsi had directed a specialist team to examine the security incident aboard the plane, which was travelling from Dubai airport to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
According to The National, the captain, Smit Machchhar, opened the cockpit door to allow help in after being attacked, and the plane plunged 14,000ft during the altercation. A small group of passengers and a reserve pilot overpowered the co-pilot, steadied the plane and landed the Boeing 737 in Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia, the outlet reported. The National said Capt Machchhar has been hailed a hero for actions which helped to save the lives of 172 passengers and crew members. Lovin Dubai said he sought to ensure the safety of 173 passengers. [ 4 , 6 ]
In his first public conversation since the incident, Capt Machchhar spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday in a 10-minute phone call from an Abu Dhabi hospital bed, The National reported. “In that moment I was fighting for my life,” the captain said, with bandages covering his head and hands, according to the outlet. He said he had been flying for 17 years and had been a captain for the last 11 years. [ 4 ]
flydubai chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith said on Friday that the crew had secured and landed the aircraft safely, and thanked passengers, The National reported. [ 4 ]
Lovin Dubai reported that Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, visited Capt Machchhar in hospital on Saturday and offered the nation's full appreciation and praise. The outlet said the captain received initial treatment in Tabuk before being transferred to a hospital in the UAE, and that he expressed gratitude to Saudi and UAE authorities for their care. [ 6 ]
Why it matters
The finding that an airline crew member allegedly attempted a terrorist act raises questions about aviation security screening and cockpit procedures, though the documents do not detail any security changes. The case involves a UAE carrier, a flight bound for Israel and a Saudi diversion, giving it reach beyond the UAE, and the attorney-general's stated intention to publish final results means more official detail is expected.
Key facts
- The UAE attorney-general said the co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted to carry out a terrorist act. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- According to the attorney-general, the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the flight deck with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft's flight controls. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The flight was travelling from Dubai airport to Tel Aviv and was diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia. [ 4 , 6 ]
- The attorney-general said investigations are continuing into the full circumstances, motives and any links, with final results to be announced after all procedures are completed. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The captain, Smit Machchhar, spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday in a 10-minute phone call from an Abu Dhabi hospital bed, The National reported. [ 4 ]
- Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, visited the captain in hospital on Saturday, according to Lovin Dubai. [ 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The UAE attorney-general said investigations showed the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act aboard flight FZ1073. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The attorney-general said the co-pilot attacked the captain on the flight deck using a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]
- The attorney-general said investigations into the circumstances, motives and any links are continuing and that final results will be announced when procedures are concluded. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- How many people were aboard the flight. The National says the captain's actions helped save the lives of 172 passengers and crew members, while Lovin Dubai says he sought to ensure the safety of 173 passengers; neither figure is attributed to authorities.
- The co-pilot's identity, nationality and motive. Not given in any document; the attorney-general said investigations into motives and any links are still under way.
- The date of the flight. Only The National gives a date, saying the flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday; the other documents do not specify.
- The co-pilot's current status, or whether anyone has been charged. No document states whether the co-pilot was arrested, detained or charged.
- The exact title of Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi. WAM and other outlets describe him as Attorney-General of the UAE, while Gulf News calls him the UAE Federal Prosecutor.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- WAM publishes the attorney-general's statement that investigations into the FZ1073 incident show the co-pilot attempted a terrorist act. [ 1 ]
- Emirates 24|7 carries the same finding. [ 2 ]
- Aletihad publishes the attorney-general's statement. [ 3 ]
- The National reports the finding and adds the captain's account, the diversion to Tabuk and his Friday call with India's prime minister. [ 4 ]
- Gulf News reports the attorney-general's finding and lists its related coverage. [ 5 ]
- Lovin Dubai reports the Crown Prince of Dubai's hospital visit to Capt Smit Machchhar. [ 6 ]
- Arabian Business publishes a summary of the investigation finding. [ 7 ]