UAE expands Flydubai investigation after alleged Ben Gurion crash plot
The case now reaches beyond one suspect to airline contacts.
Overview
A flight carrying 174 people landed safely in Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe and tried to take control. Passengers and crew held him back. then took over and landed the plane. Saudi officials detained him before sending him to the UAE, where prosecutors began a .
UAE officials say he planned to crash the plane into and had studied earlier flights. These claims have not been proven. Officials are also checking whether he acted alone. Reports say two Maldivian pilots were arrested or held, while Maldivian officials say they were questioned. Their status and any knowledge of the plan remain unclear. The case raises questions about how pilots are recruited, checked and investigated across countries.
Timeline
Investigation remains unresolved
The case still centers on the suspect's , the alleged weapon, possible security or hiring failures, and whether he acted alone. Public reporting has not reconciled the claim of a solo plan with the questioning of the two Maldivian pilots. Further conclusions require publicly disclosed evidence and any or court findings.
Two Maldivian pilots questioned or detained
Two Flydubai pilots were reportedly taken into custody or questioned in the UAE in connection with their professional contact with the Omani suspect. officials were reported to have described them as , while other reports called the action an arrest or detention. Their , whether witnesses or suspects, remained unclear.
Questions emerge over whether suspect acted alone
UAE accounts reportedly said the suspect admitted planning the attack alone. At the same time, investigators examined his professional relationships and contacts, leaving open the question of whether anyone assisted him or knew of the plan. No publicly disclosed finding had established that other people participated.
Reports describe alleged crash plan
The UAE prosecutor general was reported to have alleged that the co-pilot intended to seize the Boeing 737 and crash it into the passenger terminal at . Prosecutors reportedly said he had used two earlier Tel Aviv flights to and airport. The alleged plan and its supporting evidence remained claims in an , not a final court determination.
UAE opens terrorism investigation
UAE prosecutors formed a specialized team to investigate the circumstances, motive, planning, and possible terrorist links behind the incident. Opening a did not itself establish that the attack was part of a . The airline and authorities continued to distinguish official findings from media reports and untested allegations.
Suspect transferred to UAE
The Omani co-pilot was reported to have been handed over by Saudi authorities to the UAE, where investigators questioned him about the attack. The transfer made the case a joint aviation-security and criminal investigation involving Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel, and the airline. Early reporting differed on the precise sequence and legal status of the suspect.
Authorities begin multinational inquiry
Saudi authorities handled the immediate incident after the emergency landing, while UAE aviation and prosecutorial authorities began examining its operational, security, and criminal dimensions. Flydubai suspended Israel flights as the investigation continued. At this stage, officials had not publicly established a motive or .
Flight diverts to Tabuk
The aircraft from its route and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. A reserve Flydubai captain and co-pilot aboard the aircraft reportedly took over flight duties and completed the landing. The injured pilots received medical treatment, and Saudi authorities detained the suspected attacker.
Passengers and crew restrain co-pilot
The captain reportedly opened the cockpit door to seek help after the assault. Passengers and crew then subdued the co-pilot, preventing him from taking control of the aircraft, according to subsequent reporting. These details were reported during the early investigation and were not presented as a completed court finding.
Cockpit attack begins
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers and crew when the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain in the . Reports said the captain and co-pilot were injured, and that a or similar emergency weapon was used. The airline initially described the cause and motive as unknown, pending a .