Flydubai FZ1073: Who were mystery pilots who saved the plane after Smit Machchhar was attacked?

Three days following the dramatic plunge of flydubai flight FZ1073, inquiries are now directed towards two pilots who were merely passengers and rushed into the cockpit to aid in stabilising the aircraft. Their identities remain undisclosed, with Flydubai merely referring to them as on-duty staff members on board the plane. Their actions became pivotal when Captain Smit Machchhar, severely injured, managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers to enter and subdue the co-pilot.

These two pilots subsequently took charge of the aircraft and guided it to a safe emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

According to passenger Daniel Schlichter, as relayed to news agency Associated Press, the two pilots were travelling as part of a routine practice known as "deadheading," where pilots travel as passengers to reposition themselves for a subsequent assignment. Neither of them was originally scheduled to operate the plane on its return journey from Tel Aviv to Dubai.

The accused co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national previously barred from flying due to alleged extremist views, has been identified. Schlichter, who was seated in the second row, expressed amazement at the intervention, stating, "This is one of the miracles. Not every flight has two extra pilots, and in this case, they were there because they needed to bring the plane back from Tel Aviv to Dubai, which was the only reason they were present."

The presence of these two pilots during the emergency was crucial as both the operating captain and co-pilot were involved in the cockpit incident. Four pilots were reportedly on board, including the two operating pilots and the two pilots who travelled as passengers. The Indian Express cited agencies in reporting this detail, explaining how the routine practice of deadheading contributed to the successful outcome of the emergency landing.

Schlichter recounted that passengers initially heard screams and learned that the co-pilot was repeatedly attacking Machchhar. Despite his injuries, the captain managed to unlock the cockpit door. The two pilots stepped in after passengers realized the severity of the situation. They entered the cockpit after the cockpit door was opened, restrained the attacker, and took control of the aircraft, guiding it to a safe landing.