Violent altercation in the cockpit of a Flydubai flight

After the violent altercation in the cockpit of an Emirati airline Flydubai, the background remains unclear. The Emirati authorities have launched an investigation, but the motive and intentions of the suspected attacker, a pilot from Oman, are still unclear. The Israeli government is already assuming a jihadist terrorist attack.

UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi set up a special investigation team, state news agency Wam reported. The investigators should clarify the process and the background and check whether there is a connection to terrorist activities or whether the incident was planned or ordered. The Emirati judicial authorities believe they are responsible because the machine is registered in the Gulf state and flies the Emirati flag.

The Emirati company's flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when a violent altercation broke out in the cockpit. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the co-pilot stabbed his colleague. The plane reportedly went into a nosedive. After the suspected attacker was overpowered, the plane was able to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia - a second crew traveling in the cabin took over the controls.

The attacker is said to come from Oman. However, there is currently no reliable information about the alleged attacker's motive - and what exactly his intention was has not yet been clarified. Oman has not yet commented on the incident. The influential Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also initially kept a low profile.

According to an initial Israeli assessment, there is no evidence of involvement of a state or a terrorist organization, the Kan broadcaster reported, citing security circles.

After Flydubai initially suspended its flights to and from Israel, the Israeli Ministry of Transport announced that repatriation flights would begin for Israeli passengers waiting in the United Arab Emirates. Israeli airlines El Al, Arkia and Israir are scheduled to return passengers starting tomorrow. The planes are supposed to fly empty to the Emirates and return to Israel with the Israelis who originally wanted to travel with Flydubai.

The pilot was seriously injured in the incident. The Indian named Smit Machchhar is being treated in a hospital in the city of Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia and is receiving the necessary medical care there, said a statement from the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia. “A detailed assessment of his health is still pending, but according to current information, his condition is stable.” We hope for his speedy recovery.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the fearlessness of the pilot who was allegedly attacked by his colleague. A video showed the pilot lying on the ground covered in blood and wearing a breathing mask.

Meanwhile, Israeli President Izchak Herzog announced that he would nominate four of the passengers who helped subdue the attacker on the flight for the Presidential Medal for Civil Courage. Yaniv Hayun, Shota Musayev, Zivka Manes and Asaf Rajuan put themselves in danger to save others, Herzog said, according to his office. Among them is the dentist Musayev, who said he gave the injured pilot first aid. A passenger who became aware of the altercation in the cockpit and raised the alarm should also be acknowledged. The president awards the prize, but a committee decides on the recipients.

Musayev told the president that all the passengers on board were heroes: "We supported each other on the plane and also when we arrived in Saudi Arabia and looked after each other as we should." Rajwan spoke of an “extraordinary incident”. The passengers initially felt helpless. “But it was all instinct: to survive, to save the family, the people and the children.”

According to media reports, there were 174 passengers on board, including 27 children. They were taken to Tel Aviv on a replacement flight from Tabuk. Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and UN Secretary General António Guterres also expressed relief that something worse had been prevented.