UAE Attorney General Counselor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said on Saturday that an investigation into Flydubai Flight FZ1073 found that the co-pilot had begun carrying out a terrorist attack after assaulting the captain inside the cockpit and attempting to take control of the flight controls.
Assault with an emergency axe inside the cockpit
Al Shamsi said the co-pilot began carrying out his plan during the flight and assaulted the captain using an emergency axe (Crash Axe) before attempting to take control of the aircraft's controls.
The attorney general said the investigation remains ongoing to uncover the circumstances and motives behind the incident, as well as any related connections. Technical examinations and reviews of physical and digital evidence are also being completed, with final findings to be announced after the necessary procedures have concluded.
Change of course and landing in Tabuk
The aircraft, which was traveling from Dubai Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia on September 30 following a security incident on board. Flydubai said the crew successfully secured the flight, changed its course and landed safely.
Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said on October 1 that the incident resulted from the co-pilot assaulting the captain, leaving both with injuries of varying severity. After their health improved, they traveled to Abu Dhabi accompanied by UAE security forces, while the remaining six crew members returned safely to Dubai.
Official investigation into the cause of the incident
A Flydubai spokesperson said on Saturday that the circumstances surrounding the incident remained under investigation. The airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safe and that their wellbeing had been confirmed after the aircraft landed, while the passengers later departed for Tel Aviv on a new flight.
