Indian-Origin Doctor, 26, Among Two Victims in Fatal Plane Crash in UAE

An Indian-origin doctor, Sulaymaan Al Majid, was one of two killed in a horrific light aircraft crash off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE on Sunday. According to the General Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft was confirmed to have crashed in the sea. Both the pilot and co-pilot were said to have lost their lives.

A 26-year-old, Sulaymaan, was co-piloting the aircraft with a 26-year-old Pakistani woman who also died in the incident. Sulaymaan was a UAE native, and he had hired the plane for a family sightseeing tour. His family was present at the aviation club to watch when he hired the plane, and his younger brother was scheduled to fly in the next available time slot.

His father expressed his sorrow, saying, “We were all looking forward to the New Year as a family, planning to celebrate together. Instead, our lives have been shattered. It feels like time has stopped for us. Sulaymaan was the light of our lives, and we don’t know how to move forward without him.”

Crash happened hours after takeoff near the Cove Rotana Hotel, and according to the reports, it lost radio contact before making an emergency landing attempt. However, both the people died immediately despite efforts to save them.

Sulaymaan was a clinical fellow in County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom. He took part in the British Medical Association where he was involved in campaigning for the rights of “junior doctors” to be categorized into “residents.”
The aviation authority began an investigation into the cause of the tragic deaths caused by the crash.