Fresh details from the flydubai FZ1073 investigation suggest the co-pilot who allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar had expressed violent anti-Jewish views online and wanted to die during the incident, according to an Israeli official.
Machchhar was later transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE for further treatment. Indian Ambassador to the UAE Dr Deepak Mittal visited him and his family in hospital.
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said on Thursday that he was “in good health and recovering well” after surgery in Tabuk.
The official said investigators had not reached a final finding on motive. “We can’t say for sure until the investigation’s over,” the official said, “but it certainly seems like he was a suicide actor who was probably going to try to down that plane.”
UAE opens formal investigation
The UAE Attorney-General Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has ordered a specialist Public Prosecution team to investigate the circumstances and motives behind the incident. “We will be part of that investigation. Flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel while the investigation continues. Emirates has also suspended its codeshare operations on the route. UAE authorities have urged the public to rely on official information and avoid unverified claims until investigators establish what happened.
Because the aircraft landed at Tabuk Airport, saudi authorities are carrying out the initial inquiry.
The UAE Foreign Ministry said the inquiry would examine whether the attack had any connection to terrorist activity, whether it was planned in advance and whether anyone else directed it. UAE authorities said the aircraft is registered in the Emirates, giving them jurisdiction under UAE law. The Israeli official said the suspect is expected to be transferred to the UAE. “Our understanding is he’s going to be transferred to the UAE,” the official said. Israel is also carrying out its own review of the incident and aviation security procedures, according to The Times of Israel.
