UAE investigates flydubai cockpit attack after emergency landing

A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after its copilot attacked the captain in the cockpit, prompting passengers and crew to intervene. The UAE has opened an investigation into the incident’s circumstances and motives, including whether it involved a terrorist purpose or prior planning or direction, according to a statement reported by the UAE state news agency. The aircraft landed safely on September 30 with more than 170 people aboard, though reports differed on the number, with one account giving a total of 180. The captain was injured and received hospital treatment. Passengers subdued the copilot, while two off-duty aviators aboard took control and landed the plane, according to accounts of the incident. The copilot remains in custody, and his identity has not been publicly disclosed in the reports. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the captain, identified as Smit Machchhar, was attacked and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to restrain the copilot.