UAE Prosecutor General Investigates Co-Pilot's Attack on Captain During Flydubai Flight

The United Arab Emirates' prosecutor general has stated that a Flydubai co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act during a flight earlier this week, using a crash axe against the pilot in the cockpit. Hamad Saif al-Shamsi reported on Saturday that the incident occurred on Wednesday during flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot allegedly tried to take control of the aircraft's flight controls. An investigation is currently underway to determine all circumstances surrounding the incident, including motives and connections, as well as to complete technical examinations and analyze physical and digital evidence. The final results will be announced once the necessary procedures are completed. A crash axe is a tool kept in the cockpit for emergency situations. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, experienced a brief plunge of approximately 17,000 feet (5,180 meters) before regaining control, aided by a second pair of pilots after passengers and crew subdued the attacker. The aircraft was diverted to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was arrested and subsequently handed over to UAE authorities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that Israel is investigating whether the co-pilot acted under direction from others, warning that those involved would face consequences. Following the incident, Flydubai suspended all flights to Israel, and El Al, Israel's national airline, canceled its scheduled flights, leaving some Israeli passengers stranded in the UAE. The first repatriation flight, operated by Israeli carrier Arkia, arrived at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport from Dubai at 22:00 GMT on Friday.