Kenyan Cabin Crew Hailed for Helping Stabbed Flydubai Pilot in Mid-Air Emergency

Fresh details have emerged about the dramatic mid-air emergency aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, in which Kenyan cabin crew members were captured on video assisting the stabbed pilot after a violent altercation in the cockpit.

The footage, which has circulated widely on social media, shows Swahili-speaking cabin crew tending to the injured captain as the aircraft was being stabilised following what Israeli authorities are investigating as a potential attempted hijacking.

In viral audio and video from inside the aircraft, cabin crew members can be heard speaking in Kenyan Swahili while attending to the wounded pilot.

One crew member is heard saying, “Cheki kama anaongea muongeleshe” an instruction to check whether the injured pilot is speaking and to talk to him. Moments later, another voice is heard saying “Mueke huku chini” as the crew appears to support the injured man and make him more comfortable.

The footage shows the pilot, identified as Indian national Captain Smit Machchhar, lying on the floor outside the cockpit as crew members and passengers provide assistance.

Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737, was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers on board when an altercation erupted in the cockpit.

According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the co-pilot stabbed the captain and then attempted to crash the aircraft. The plane plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to flight-tracking data.

Passengers and crew members broke into the cockpit after the aircraft entered a rapid descent, overpowering the attacker and enabling two reserve Flydubai pilots who were aboard the flight to regain control.

The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Both pilots were taken to hospital for treatment.