The Saudi Interior Ministry says the pilots were sent back to the UAE with an Emirati security team.
Published on October 1, 2026
The Saudi Interior Ministry said a preliminary investigation into the emergency landing of a Flydubai flight this week found that “the pilot was assaulted by his co-pilot, resulting in various injuries to both.”
the ministry said on Thursday that an initial investigation into the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight was carried out by Saudi authorities with the participation of a security team from the United Arab Emirates.
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It was the first comment from the Saudi government on the incident.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was en route from the United Arab Emirates to Israel on Wednesday when a violent incident occurred that forced it to make an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, northwest Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai said that day that “an altercation occurred in the cockpit” and that crew members secured the plane and diverted it safely.
In its statement, the Saudi Interior Ministry said that after the plane was cleared for an emergency landing, it arrived “safely” at 9:45 a.m. local time (06:45 GMT) with 174 passengers and eight crew members on board. “All necessary care was provided.”
At around 5:40 p.m. that day, all passengers continued their journey on a replacement Flydubai aircraft, while the rest of the crew – apart from the captain and co-pilot – returned to Dubai on another flight, the statement added.
The captain and co-pilot “were transported to hospital for treatment based on an assessment of their condition.”
After their condition improved and they received medical clearance, the captain and co-pilot left Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning, accompanied by the Emirati security team, the ministry said.
Saudi Arabia “manages emergencies in accordance with its international and humanitarian obligations”, the ministry added, citing the preparation of its air and security systems to respond to exceptional cases.
Saudi Arabia’s National Transportation Safety Center said its investigation team had started working on the incident and was coordinating with authorities to determine the circumstances and collect relevant evidence.
Captain Machchhar showed ‘tremendous courage’
Earlier on Thursday, the UAE Attorney General, Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, opened an investigation into the cockpit brawl aboard the Flydubai flight.
Investigators will examine the circumstances and motives of the incident, and determine whether it was linked to “terrorist activity or intent” or whether it involved prior planning or direction, the official Emirati news agency WAM reported.
The captain of flight FZ1073 was an Indian national, Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured.
Although the incident remains under investigation, his actions apparently aimed at thwarting a mid-air disaster have drawn praise from world leaders and those who knew him.
Machchhar was taken to Tabuk hospital in stable condition on Wednesday, the Indian embassy in Riyadh said.
The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday that Machchhar had been transferred to Abu Dhabi for further treatment. The Indian Ambassador to the UAE visited the captain and his family was informed of his recovery.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called Machchhar a hero.
“In the face of the gravest danger and despite his serious injuries, he showed immense courage and unwavering determination to protect the lives of others. His bravery helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy,” Modi wrote on X.
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