Netanyahu Says Israel May Join Flydubai Crash Attempt Probe

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel may participate in the investigation into an alleged attempt by a flydubai co-pilot to crash a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv passenger flight, while stressing that the motive and any possible Iranian connection remain unclear.

Netanyahu said authorities intend to determine what drove the co-pilot and whether anyone else was involved in the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073. Asked during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity whether Iran could have played a role, Netanyahu said it was too early to reach a conclusion.

“We’ll get to the root of this attacker, whether he had accomplices, whether Iran was behind it. I think we’ll find out very soon,” Netanyahu said.

The co-pilot is being investigated in Saudi Arabia following the emergency landing in Tabuk, Netanyahu said. He added that the suspect could later be transferred to the United Arab Emirates and that Israel would closely follow, and potentially participate in, the investigation.

The incident unfolded Wednesday while flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and sent the aircraft plunging nearly 14,000 feet, or about 4,267 meters, in less than 30 seconds.

Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and subdued the co-pilot. Two additional flydubai pilots traveling aboard the aircraft subsequently took control and landed the plane safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The passengers later continued to Israel aboard a replacement aircraft.

Israeli officials said the co-pilot’s motive remains under investigation. Flydubai confirmed that an altercation occurred on the flight deck but cautioned against speculation while authorities determine the circumstances and reasons behind the incident.

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority has also opened an investigation into the incident.