Stories
Saudi Arabia Launches Safety Probe Into Flydubai Cockpit Stabbing
- •Saudi Arabia has initiated an air accident safety probe following a cockpit stabbing incident on a flydubai flight on September 30.
- •The safety investigation runs alongside a separate UAE-led criminal investigation, which has been classified as a terrorist attack.
- •International rules under Annex 13 govern the safety probe, focusing strictly on technical matters and aviation improvements rather than assigning blame.
- •The US National Transportation Safety Board has assigned a representative to the probe since the Boeing 737 MAX jet was made in the United States.
- •Israel, whose citizens made up nearly all the passengers on board, has offered to participate in the investigation but has not yet been invited.
Key Questions Answered
Saudi Arabia has launched an air accident probe under international rules to examine potential fallout for aviation safety following the September 30 cockpit attack on flight FZ1073 while it was in Saudi airspace, alongside a separate UAE-led criminal investigation.
Under international rules known as Annex 13, the UAE is automatically involved because the Boeing 737 MAX jet is registered there and the airline is based in Dubai, while the US National Transportation Safety Board has also assigned a representative.
Saudi Arabia's interior ministry announced that following initial investigations and medical clearance, the co-pilot suspected of the cockpit attack and the injured captain were transferred from the kingdom to Abu Dhabi accompanied by an Emirati security team.
