Saudi Arabia: Preliminary investigations indicate assault of Flydubai co-pilot on pilot

The source stated, in a statement published on the pages of the Saudi Ministry of Interior, that the preliminary investigations conducted by the competent authorities in Saudi Arabia with the participation of a security team from the United Arab Emirates indicated that the co-pilot assaulted the pilot, resulting in them both sustaining various injuries.

He confirmed that Saudi Arabia deals with emergency cases in accordance with its international and humanitarian obligations, and as stipulated by the systems and instructions approved by the relevant authorities, to ensure the safety and security of air navigation and the readiness of the aviation and security systems in the Kingdom and their ability to respond quickly and effectively to exceptional situations.

He explained that the competent authorities in Saudi Arabia took the necessary measures to deal with the emergency situation declared on Flydubai flight number (FZIO73), and granted it permission to make an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk on Wednesday, as the plane landed safely at 9:45 am with 174 passengers on board in addition to the flight crew of 8 members, and provided them with all the necessary care.

He added that at 5:40 pm, all passengers completed their journey on a replacement Flydubai flight, while the flight crew returned to Dubai on another flight of the same airline, except for the pilot and co-pilot who were taken to the hospital to receive the necessary treatment based on an assessment of their health condition.