Flydubai Co-Pilot Allegedly Assaulted Captain Before Emergency Landing

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry has revealed that a preliminary investigation into the emergency landing of a Flydubai flight found that the co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain, leaving both pilots with injuries.

Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when an altercation reportedly broke out in the cockpit, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia.

According to the Saudi Interior Ministry, the aircraft landed safely at about 9:45am local time with 174 passengers and eight crew members on board. Authorities said all passengers and crew members received the necessary assistance.

The passengers later continued their journey at about 5:40pm on a replacement Flydubai aircraft, while the other crew members returned to Dubai on another flight.

The captain and co-pilot were taken to hospital for treatment after authorities assessed their conditions. Once they had recovered sufficiently and were medically cleared, both pilots left Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning, accompanied by an Emirati security team.

Saudi Arabia’s National Transport Safety Center said an investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and gather relevant evidence.

Meanwhile, UAE authorities have also launched an investigation into the cockpit confrontation. Investigators are examining the circumstances and possible motives, including whether the incident was connected to terrorist activity, prior planning or external direction.

The captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, was reportedly seriously injured during the incident. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said he was transferred to Abu Dhabi for further treatment.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar for his actions during the emergency, saying the captain showed courage and determination to protect the lives of the passengers and crew.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

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