Musaev recounts cabin crew actions after Flydubai pilot attack

Israeli dentist Shota Musaev, who helped the injured captain of a Flydubai flight, told RIA Novosti on October 8 that cabin crew asked passengers to untie the restrained co-pilot. His account concerns the September 30 incident.

Musaev said he helped restrain the alleged attacker with headphone wires. He said the man shouted loudly and that the crew's requests to loosen the restraints seemed unusual to passengers. He also described an atmosphere of suspicion on board and said he hoped the investigation would establish the full circumstances.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog honoured Musaev and five other Israelis for civilian heroism on Thursday. Reuters also documented the October 8 ceremony. According to RIA Novosti, Herzog separately praised Captain Smit Machchhar for opening the cockpit door after the attack and enabling passengers to help.

The aircraft, flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, sent a distress signal and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Two relief pilots were on board. The airline later confirmed that a confrontation between pilots had occurred during the flight.

The UAE prosecutor's office said preliminary findings indicated an attempted terrorist act. It alleged that the co-pilot attacked the captain with the aircraft's emergency axe and attempted to seize the controls. Israeli authorities also described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.

RIA Novosti identified the alleged attacker as 29-year-old Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami. Musaev's account of the cabin crew's requests does not establish their motives or involvement in the attack.