Australia investigates Flydubai co-pilot's links to the country

Australian authorities are investigating the links between Australia and a Flydubai co-pilot who attempted to take control of an aircraft traveling to Israel. The inquiry concerns his connections to the country.

The investigation involves state police and the country's security agency. An update will be provided at an appropriate time, authorities said, without setting a specific time for releasing further information.

The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September, carrying more than 170 passengers to Israel.

The co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe during the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Passengers subsequently overpowered him and managed to regain control of the aircraft.

The UAE's attorney general, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said on Saturday that investigations were under way to establish the circumstances and motives of the incident, as well as any related links.

The United Arab Emirates prosecutor general said the co-pilot of a Flydubai aircraft traveling to Israel attacked the pilot with a crash axe. He said the attack was an attempt to take control of the aircraft.

The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was carrying more than 170 people when it plunged some 17,000 feet, two and a half hours into the journey. Passengers then overpowered the attacker and took control of the plane.

Capt. Smit Machchhar said he was lying injured on the floor when he realized the aircraft was sinking and he needed to act. He described making one last push to open the cockpit door from inside, allowing passengers to enter.

A crash axe is usually kept in the cockpit for use in emergencies.

The UAE attorney general said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances and motives of the incident.

UAE prosecutor general says Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe

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