UAE says it will lead investigation into FlyDubai incident
The investigation will look into "any terrorist activity or prior planning."
Prosecutors in the United Arab Emirates have opened an investigation into the incident involving a FlyDubai flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit, the state news agency WAM reported on Thursday.
The UAE Attorney General ordered an investigation to establish the circumstances and motives behind the incident and "determine whether it was linked to any terrorist activity or prior planning," WAM said.
The UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction over the investigation because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and operates under its flag, meaning offences committed on board are subject to UAE law even when they occur outside the country, the statement said.
The flight took off at 7:05 a.m. local time from Dubai on Wednesday, according to Flightradar24.
Tracking data showed the aircraft descended rapidly from 34,000 to 16,000 feet in three minutes.
About 10 minutes after the initial descent, the plane's squawk code -- used by aircraft to communicate with air traffic control -- changed to "general emergency." Seven minutes after that, the squawk code changed again, indicating a hijacking or "unlawful interference."
The aircraft then continued to fly lower at 15,000 feet on average until it landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, about an hour to an hour and a half after the rapid descent began and the emergency signals were sent.
FlyDubai confirmed that the flight "experienced an incident while en route," and landed in Tabuk.
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