UAE orders probe into flydubai flight incident, examines possible terror link

A flydubai aircraft carrying Israelis parked at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday. PIC/PTI

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ordered an investigation into the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073, including any possible connection to terrorist activity or intent.

In a statement issued on Thursday, a day after the incident, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Counsellor Dr Hamad Al Shamsi, UAE Attorney-General, had ordered a team of specialised members of the Public Prosecution to investigate the circumstances and causes. The state news agency WAM said the investigation team had launched its work.

The flight, from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv, was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The Ministry said the probe follows flydubai's announcement that an altercation had occurred in the flight deck, prompting crew members travelling on board to intervene and secure the aircraft.

The Ministry said the investigation includes all circumstances and motives, any possible connection to terrorist activity or intent, and whether it involved prior planning or direction. WAM said the probe would determine "the degree to which (the incident) was linked to any terrorist activity or intent," AFP reported.

UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and bears its flag, the Ministry said.

UAE law applies to crimes committed on board even outside its territory. It thanked the Saudi authorities and asked the public to rely on official statements until the findings are announced.

Israel alleges attempt to crash aircraft

Israel alleged on Wednesday that the co-pilot had tried to crash the aircraft and that the pilot and passengers intervened and averted the crash. Passengers described rushing to the cockpit after the plane suddenly plummeted, losing around 17,000 feet in a minute, according to Flightradar24.

flydubai said all passengers were safe. Of the 174 people on board, 166 were Israeli, according to media reports cited by AFP.

Israeli officials called the incident "an attempted terrorist attack". Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News it was "too early" to say who was behind the altercation.

"During the flight, as they approached the country, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot, and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board," he said in a video message.

(With AFP inputs)