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The UAE Attorney-General has said investigations into Flydubai Flight FZ1073 found that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist act, marking the first official confirmation by Emirati authorities of the nature of the September 30 incident.
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According to Federal Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi, the co-pilot began executing his plan while the aircraft was in flight, attacking the captain inside the cockpit with a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft’s flight controls.
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The flight, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after an incident in the cockpit prompted other Flydubai crew members aboard the aircraft to intervene and secure the plane.
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UAE authorities said they are still examining the circumstances and motive behind the incident, as well as any possible links, while technical examinations and analysis of physical and digital evidence continue.
October 3, (THEWILL) – The United Arab Emirates has said the co-pilot involved in the dramatic cockpit incident aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 attempted to carry out a terrorist act, according to the country’s Federal Attorney-General.
Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi disclosed the finding in a statement issued on Saturday and carried by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Al-Shamsi said investigations into the incident established that the co-pilot began executing his plan while the aircraft was airborne.
He said the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the flight deck using a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft’s flight controls.
The statement represents a major development in the investigation, which was initially launched to determine the circumstances and possible motive behind the cockpit incident.
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Flight Diverted to Saudi Arabia
THEWILL reports that Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv on September 30 when the incident occurred.
The airline said the aircraft experienced an incident while en route and subsequently landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE Attorney-General had earlier ordered a specialised investigation into the incident after Flydubai reported that an altercation had occurred inside the flight deck.
According to the UAE authorities, crew members travelling on the aircraft intervened during the incident and secured the plane before it was diverted to Tabuk.
Flydubai has maintained that the circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
In its statement following the incident, the airline said it was working closely with the relevant authorities and would provide further updates as confirmed information became available.
The UAE authorities said the final findings would be released once the investigation and related procedures are completed.
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