‘Crew tried to put mysterious pill in pilot Smit’s mouth’: Passenger’s big claim on flydubai attack
Maldivian news portal Adhadhu reported that the two were taken into custody on October 3 and that their families were informed through the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE. Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers and crew members when al-Hammami allegedly attacked Machchhar with an axe in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft. Authorities have not disclosed the allegations against them or confirmed the nature of their suspected links to the incident.
Crew members repeatedly confronted passengers who tried to record the incident, according to Rajuan’s account to the Israeli newspaper. One attendant allegedly asked him whether he was a police officer. He also described attempts to grab and pull at clothing, adding to his suspicion that the crew’s actions were unusual. The claims come amid reports that two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai have been arrested by UAE police in connection with the investigation. Despite his injuries, the Indian captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing.