Saudi Arabia probes flydubai jet incident after co-pilot axe attack

The co-pilot of the Israel-bound flydubai jet reportedly attacked the captain with an axe while the aircraft was in Saudi airspace. Safety probes are standard after accidents but are not mandatory when a deliberate act is involved. It was unclear until now whether Saudi Arabia would proceed with such an investigation.

Experts suggest the Saudi probe could test the international cooperation system designed to improve safety without assigning blame. Saudi Arabia has notified specialist aviation agencies abroad that it will conduct the investigation under international rules for flight FZ1073. The Saudi National Transport Safety Center, responsible for accident investigations, did not immediately respond to requests for comment, nor did the Saudi government or its regulator.

The UAE has already initiated its criminal investigation, with its prosecutor general labeling the event a "terrorist attack." Officials in the UAE also did not respond to requests for comment. Under international regulations, the UAE would be involved due to the jet's registration and the airline's base in Dubai.

Israel, whose citizens comprised almost all of the 172 people on board, has offered to participate in any Saudi-led safety investigation. However, Ofer Vaknin, director of Israel's Aircraft Safety Investigation Authority, stated that Israel has not yet been invited. Despite lacking diplomatic relations, Saudi Arabia and Israel have a history of cooperation on aviation safety matters, which is credited with significantly reducing accident rates.