DUBAI, October 1, 2026 — The United Arab Emirates has formally opened an investigation into the dramatic mid-air attack aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, asserting full judicial jurisdiction over the case and announcing it will examine possible terror links — even as the stabbed pilot who saved 174 lives was airlifted from Saudi Arabia to Dubai following emergency surgery.
In an official statement issued Thursday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country is “closely following” the incident involving the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, which was forced to divert and land safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia after a violent altercation broke out inside the cockpit.
Attorney-General Orders Specialised Probe Team
The ministry said UAE Attorney-General Counsellor Dr. Hamad Al Shamsi has ordered the formation of a specialised team from the Public Prosecution to investigate the precise causes and motives behind the disturbance. The move follows flydubai’s announcement that an altercation had occurred in the flight deck, prompting off-duty flydubai crew members travelling on board to intervene and secure the aircraft.
Officials said the inquiry will examine “all circumstances and motives surrounding the incident, including any possible connection to terrorist activity or intent, and whether it involved prior planning or direction.”
The ministry affirmed that UAE judicial authorities maintain full jurisdiction over the case under applicable law, as the Boeing 737 is registered in the Emirates and flies its flag — meaning UAE law applies to offences committed on board even when the aircraft is outside national airspace.
Suspect to Be Handed Over After Saudi Inquiry
Saudi Arabia will conduct the preliminary investigation into the Omani co-pilot accused of stabbing Captain Smit Machchhar in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft, regional officials said. Once the initial Saudi inquiry concludes, the suspect will be handed over to Emirati authorities for a secondary, fuller investigation, according to Israeli officials cited by regional media.
The UAE expressed its appreciation to Saudi authorities for their swift response in managing the aircraft’s landing and securing those on board.
Hero Pilot Airlifted to Dubai
In a parallel development, Captain Machchhar — the 39-year-old Indian pilot hailed worldwide for foiling the alleged crash bid — was airlifted to Dubai on Thursday after undergoing life-saving emergency surgery at a military hospital in Tabuk.
Sources said the captain, who suffered severe stab wounds, managed to open the cockpit door so passengers could rush in and overpower the attacker, even as the aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet in under two minutes. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said he remains in stable condition and is in touch with his family, who have reached the kingdom.
The Indian Embassy in the UAE said envoy Deepak Mittal and Consul General E. Vishnu Vardhan Reddy met the captain’s family and briefed them on his health and recovery.
World Leaders Heap Praise
Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned the pilot’s family, describing Captain Machchhar as a “hero” whose bravery saved hundreds of lives and averted what Israeli officials termed “another 9/11.” President Droupadi Murmu also joined in praising the captain, while US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added their tributes.
Machchhar, from Mumbai and of Gujarati origin, has more than 13 years of commercial flying experience and over 9,500 flying hours. Colleagues said he had served with SpiceJet for over 11 years before joining flydubai as a captain in June 2022.
What Comes Next
With flydubai suspending all its Israel flights and multiple inquiries now running across three countries, aviation authorities say the coming days will be critical in establishing the co-pilot’s motives — and whether the cockpit attack was a spontaneous act or the result of prior planning.
