EXCLUSIVE: Saudi Arabia launches air safety probe into flydubai incident, sources say

According to Reuters, the sources said Saudi Arabia had notified specialist aviation agencies abroad that it would carry out a safety investigation under international rules into flight FZ1073, which was in Saudi airspace when the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe.[1]Reuters notes that such probes are not mandatory when a deliberate act is involved, such as the suspected attempt by a co-pilot to bring down the Israel-bound flydubai jet on September 30.[1] Reuters also reports that experts say the probe could test a system of international cooperation[1].According to Al Jazeera, Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said an initial investigation found that "the pilot was assaulted by his co-pilot, resulting in various injuries to both"[2]. Al Jazeera reports that the flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.[2]Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia's National Transport Safety Center, which has responsibility for accident investigations, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.[1]In an updated version of the Reuters story, the US National Transportation Safety Board confirmed it had assigned a representative to the probe.[1]Reuters reports that the UAE has already opened a separate criminal investigation into the incident, which its prosecutor general has called a "terrorist attack."[1]According to Reuters, Israel, whose citizens made up nearly all the 172 people on board, has offered to take part in any Saudi-led safety investigation[3] but has not been invited so far. Reuters notes that Saudi Arabia and Israel have no diplomatic ties[1].