Pilots from Near-Disaster Flight to Israel Sent to UAE; Israeli Team to Join Investigation
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Both pilots from a flight to Tel Aviv have been sent to the UAE from Saudi Arabia.
- One pilot allegedly attacked the other in an attempt to hijack the plane.
- Israel is forming a team to join the investigation in Dubai.
- UAE authorities are reportedly hesitant to meet Israeli security demands for flights.
- The first pilot, Smith Machhar, is in stable condition and his parents are en route.
Saudi Arabian authorities have confirmed that both pilots of a Flydubai flight, which narrowly avoided a tragedy en route to Tel Aviv, have been sent to the United Arab Emirates after spending a day in a local hospital. The first pilot, identified as Indian national Smith Machhar, underwent emergency surgery and was subsequently transferred from Saudi Arabia to Dubai. He is reported to be in stable condition, and his parents are traveling from Mumbai to be with him.
The second pilot, who allegedly attacked the first in an attempt to hijack the aircraft or cause a crash, was also sent to Dubai later in the day. His transfer was overseen by a delegation of security officials who traveled to Saudi Arabia specifically for this purpose. It remains unclear to what extent Saudi authorities investigated the incident immediately after it occurred.
Officially, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a brief statement indicating that a preliminary investigation revealed the second pilot attacked the aircraft commander, resulting in injuries to both. The statement did not mention that the flight was destined for Israel. It appears Saudi Arabia has opted to distance itself from the sensitive event, leaving the investigation to more "interested" parties.
Informed government sources in Israel reported that an operational team is being assembled to travel to Dubai and participate in the investigation. The extent of coordination with UAE authorities on this matter is uncertain, as practical cooperation at operational and security levels remains a sensitive issue for Arab nations, despite the Abraham Accords, with the exception of established defense and intelligence channels.
Reports emerged on the evening of the article's publication that "evacuation flights" planned by Israeli airlines to the Emirates, scheduled to begin the following day, were again in question. This is reportedly due to the UAE authorities' reluctance to meet all the demands of Israeli intelligence services regarding aircraft landing and security arrangements.
Read the original at Channel 9
