Sailor wreaks havoc on flight to Dubai

A drunken Ukrainian passenger allegedly raged in a plane flying from Singapore to Dubai and endangered the lives of passengers as he tried to open the cockpit several times, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.

FJ, 28, sailor is also accused of assaulting and molesting airhostesses and staff and running in the plane until he was pinned on his seat.

The passenger caused a big mess in the plane after consuming alcohol on a flight between Singapore and Dubai on February 20. He tried to smoke a cigarette and also tried to open the cockpit door several times but every time the staff could prevent him.

"He was drunk and we tried to prevent him from drinking more  but he did not listen... moreover, he started screaming and slapping the small table in front of his seat asking for more alcohol. He raged and rushed to the cockpit room... we rushed after him and prevented him... however, as we were trying to control him, he beat us and molested us," AI, 22, Rom airhostess told investigators.

“While we were trying to put him under control, he held me from the neck and pulled my head towards him in an attempt to kiss me... As I could push myself away from him... he groped my breast,” she added.

Her colleagues, RD, 35, Filipina, hostess, and DA, 45, Sri Lankan Air services Officer, repeated corroborative testimony.

RD told investigators that the passenger violated all rules and regulations.

“He tried to open the door of the cockpit and he also frightened other passengers as he raged in anger when was not supplied with more alcohol. The situation of the passenger prompted the pilot to instruct us to pin the passenger on his seat... While we were trying to get control over him, the passenger beat me and punched other colleagues. We had to tie his hands to the seat until the flight arrived in Dubai International Airport,” she said.

Her colleague DA told investigators that the passenger raged in anger after about one and a half hour of flying time to Dubai. “He beat me and other colleagues when we prevented him from getting into the cockpit and while we were trying to tie his hands to the seat,” he said.

The plane’s staff informed the airport security about the passenger immediately after landing.

The passenger admitted to the accusations and said he was drunk. The passenger is being prosecuted for assaulting employees while were on duty, forcible molestation and consuming alcohol accusations.

The curt will reconvene on August 24.

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