Saudi Arabia Probes flydubai Axe Attack on Israel-bound Flight
Saudi Arabia launched a safety investigation after a co-pilot attacked a captain with an axe in an attempt to crash a flydubai flight.
The National Transport Safety Center of Saudi Arabia has launched an aviation safety investigation into a September 30 incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073. An Omani co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe in an attempt to bring down the Boeing 737 MAX while it was in Saudi airspace. The attack caused the aircraft to plunge steeply before the captain opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers to restrain the attacker. The plane subsequently made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
While Saudi Arabia leads the safety probe, the United Arab Emirates is conducting a separate criminal investigation. The UAE prosecutor general has characterized the incident as a "terrorist attack." Because the aircraft was manufactured in the United States, the National Transportation Safety Board has assigned a representative to the investigation.
Nearly all of the 172 people on board were Israeli citizens, and the flight was bound for Israel. The Aircraft Safety Investigation Authority of Israel has offered to participate in the safety probe but has not yet received an invitation to do so.
