Saudi probe says Flydubai co-pilot assaulted captain

Saudi authorities said an initial investigation found that the co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 assaulted the captain before the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk on September 30. Both pilots were injured, and the circumstances and motive remain under investigation. The Saudi Interior Ministry said the inquiry was conducted with the participation of a United Arab Emirates security team. The flight, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport with 174 passengers and eight crew members aboard, according to the ministry. Passengers continued their journey later that day on a replacement Flydubai aircraft. The other crew members returned to Dubai on a separate flight, the ministry said. The captain and co-pilot were taken to a local hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. After being medically cleared, both pilots left Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi on October 1 accompanied by the UAE security team, the ministry said. India’s embassy in Riyadh said captain Smit Machchhar was in stable condition after being hospitalized in Tabuk.