Saudi Arabia Launches Aviation Safety Probe Into Flydubai Incident
Translated & summarized from Makor Rishon by baba
Saudi Arabia has initiated an aviation safety investigation into a Flydubai flight incident where the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain. The probe will run alongside a separate criminal investigation by the UAE, which has labeled the event a "terrorist attack." Israel, whose citizens were the majority of passengers, has offered to participate in the Saudi-led safety investigation but has not yet received an invitation. The U.S. NTSB is also expected to be involved due to the aircraft's origin.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Saudi Arabia has launched an aviation safety investigation into a Flydubai flight incident.
- The co-pilot of the flight is suspected of attempting to crash the plane by attacking the captain.
- The UAE is conducting a separate criminal investigation, calling the incident a "terrorist attack."
- Israel has offered to participate in the safety investigation but has not yet been invited.
- The U.S. NTSB is expected to be involved due to the aircraft's American design and manufacture.
Saudi Arabia has opened an aviation safety investigation into an incident aboard a Flydubai flight last week, according to three sources close to the matter. The probe will examine the potential implications for aviation safety, running parallel to a separate criminal investigation by the United Arab Emirates. While safety investigations are standard procedure after accidents, they are not mandatory for intentional acts. In this case, the co-pilot is suspected of attempting to crash Flight FZ1073, bound for Israel on September 30, while it was in Saudi airspace. The co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe.
Saudi Arabia has informed international aviation bodies of its intention to conduct a safety investigation under international rules. Experts suggest such an inquiry could assess the effectiveness of international aviation cooperation mechanisms, designed to issue safety recommendations without assigning blame. The Saudi National Center for Transportation Safety, responsible for accident investigations, has not yet responded to requests for comment, nor have the Saudi government or aviation authority.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to be closely involved due to the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft's U.S. design and manufacture, but was unavailable for comment. The UAE, where the airline is based and the aircraft is registered, is automatically involved in the investigation under international rules. The UAE has already launched its own criminal investigation, which the country's attorney general termed a "terrorist attack."
Israel, whose citizens comprised nearly all of the 172 passengers on board, has offered to participate in any safety investigation led by Saudi Arabia. However, Ofer Vakinine, head of the Israeli National Aviation Accident Investigation Bureau, stated that Israel has not yet been invited to join. "We are still waiting for an announcement from Saudi Arabia inviting us to participate in the investigation," Vakinine said. Despite the lack of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, experts note that international cooperation mechanisms for accident prevention can operate beyond political disputes.
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