Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi, the Prosecutor General of the United Arab Emirates, announced that the emergency aboard a Flydubai aircraft has been classified as an attempted terrorist act, according to infohub.kz.
According to the UAE Prosecutor General, the investigation into the Flydubai flight incident revealed an attempt by the co-pilot to carry out a terrorist operation. During the flight, the co-pilot attacked the captain in the cockpit with an emergency axe and tried to seize control of the aircraft.
The investigation is ongoing, Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi noted. Investigators are establishing the circumstances, motives, and contacts related to the incident, conducting technical examinations, and studying physical and digital evidence. Final results will be announced after the necessary procedures are completed.
On September 30, media reports emerged that a Boeing 737 passenger plane had sent an emergency signal while turning over Saudi Arabia. It transmitted code 7500, indicating hijacking or unlawful interference. Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled toward the aircraft.
It later became known that the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia. Reports said a fight broke out between the pilots on the Dubai–Tel Aviv flight. Soon after, the first photos and videos from the plane appeared.
Media also reported that pilots from Ukraine and Russia were flying as passengers and took over control of the Flydubai aircraft. Later it emerged that the injured pilot was an Indian citizen, Smit Machchhar.
Flydubai then suspended flights to and from Israel until the investigation into the incident is completed.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the incident aboard the Flydubai plane an attempted terror attack. Meanwhile, Iran claims that Israel planned the emergency with the Flydubai aircraft to draw the US back into the conflict.
The name and nationality of the Flydubai pilot suspected of attempting to commit a terror attack have also become known.