Passengers recount confusion after flydubai cockpit attack and emergency landing

Passengers on a flydubai flight have described how two travelling pilots helped stabilise the aircraft after the captain was attacked by the co-pilot in the cockpit. One passenger said the intervention briefly caused confusion among those on board, some of whom feared the aircraft could be hijacked. Daniel Schlichter, who was seated in the second row, told The Associated Press that he initially worried the aircraft might be flown to Iran.

He said the two pilots were on-duty crew members travelling on the flight, but their names have not been disclosed by the airline. According to Mr. Schlichter, passengers realised that Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami was attacking Captain Smit Machchhar.

The captain, who was badly wounded, managed to unlock the cockpit door. A passenger then pulled the co-pilot out, while others helped restrain him. One of the travelling pilots moved into the cockpit and took control of the aircraft.

The second joined him, and they closed the cockpit door. Mr. Schlichter said the first pilot acted immediately and appeared to understand what was happening.

He said it took several minutes to stabilise the aircraft after a severe descent that tore away part of its rudder. A mayday call was made while the pilots searched for a place to land. The aircraft eventually landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the pilots announced that the situation was under control.

The flight was carrying 182 people. The airline has described the two men only as crew members travelling on the aircraft and has not provided further details about their identities. Mr.

al-Hammami is in United Arab Emirates custody, while Captain Machchhar is recovering in a Dubai hospital, according to the supplied report. Mr. Schlichter said passengers became more confident in the pilots after they announced the landing plan.