Passengers who helped overpower the co-pilot accused of attacking flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar say their ordeal did not end when he was restrained.
Two Israelis on flight FZ1073 told the New York Post that cabin crew repeatedly asked them to untie the suspect, a demand they rejected as the aircraft headed for an emergency landing in nearby Saudi Arabia.
Video showed passengers insisting on a police handover
Flydubai has confirmed that FZ1073 experienced an incident en route and landed safely in Tabuk, with all passengers accounted for. The passenger account about cabin crew asking for the restrained co-pilot to be released has not been confirmed by investigators, and the UAE inquiry has yet to publish its final findings. Daniel Schlichter, a real estate professional seated near the cockpit, gave a similar account. Investigators have not accused any cabin crew member of taking part in the attack. Flydubai has declined to comment on the crew’s conduct, citing the active investigation. A short video shared by i24NEWS showed the restrained co-pilot kneeling inside the aircraft with his hands tied behind his back. More five minutes,” suggesting the suspect had already been held for a long period before landing. UAE aviation authorities have praised Machchhar, crew members and passengers who helped bring the aircraft under control.
Another passenger could be heard saying, “One hour, 40 minutes.
“They were saying to free the terrorist — we got instantly suspicious of them,” he said. The passengers refused and said they would hand the man only to police. The airline says it is cooperating with authorities and regulators. Passengers could be heard repeating “just police” and “only police”.
The attacker was identified as the co-pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Israeli investigators are also expected to take part in questioning connected to the case. Because the aircraft is registered there and flies under the UAE flag, the UAE is leading the investigation.
