Aussie woman claims was cockpit guest of MH370 co-pilot
Last Updated: 8:53pm, Mar 11, 2014
Roos (in pink) and her friend Maree pose with Fariq (right) and another unidentified pilot. Pic: A Current Affair
SYDNEY (Mar 11): A young Australian woman has lent scandal to the saga of missing MH370 when she claimed that the co-pilot of the ill-fated Boeing 777-200 Fariq Abdul Hamid had entertained her and a friend in the cockpit during a flight three years ago.
Jonti Roos told tabloid Channel Nine News programme A Current Affair that she and a friend were ready to board a flight from Phuket to Kuala Lumpur in 2011 when the two pilots asked if they would spend the duration of the international flight in the cockpit.
Roos from Melbourne had even provided photos of her posing with Fariq and a pilot. Her friend, Jaan Maree was even wearing the captain’s hat.
Roos says they were seated in the cockpit during takeoff and landing and that the pilots even asked the girls to stay a few nights in Kuala Lumpur with them.
“Throughout the entire flight they were talking to us and they were actually smoking throughout the flight, which I don't think they're allowed to do," Roos said.
"I know for the whole time they weren't facing the front of the plane and actually flying.
"[They were] possibly a little bit sleazy. They invited us, well asked us, if we could arrange our trip to stay a few extra nights."
Roos claims she took this picture of Fariq in the cockpit. (But note plane was still on tarmac). Pic: A Current Affair
A Malaysian Airlines spokesperson told the tabloid that passengers are not allowed into cockpit.
Roos however said she never felt unsafe.
"I don't think there was one instance where I felt threatened or I felt that they didn't know what they were doing.
"I felt like they were very friendly, but I felt they were very competent in what they were doing."
Roos said she was shocked when she saw photos of Fariq who was one of 239 people on the flight that disappeared en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
When I realised it was the exact same co-pilot and not only that but I had met him and I have photos in the cockpit with him, that was quite shocking," she said.
"When I saw all his friends and family posting on his wall my heart really broke for them and my heart broke for the family of the passengers. It's just a really sad story."
Jaan Maree in the cockpit of a Malaysia Airlines flight in December 2011. Pic: A Current Affair.
Jonti Roos and Jaan Maree in the cockpit of a Malaysia Airlines flight from Phuket to KL in December 2011 with an unidentified pilot. Pic: A Current Affair
Tuesday, March 11, 11:30 PM MYT +0800 Malaysia Airlines MH370 Flight Incident - 13th Media Statement
Malaysia Airlines has become aware of the allegations being made against First Officer, Fariq Ab Hamid which we take very seriously. We are shocked by these allegations.
We have not been able to confirm the validity of the pictures and videos of the alleged incident. As you are aware, we are in the midst of a crisis, and we do not want our attention to be diverted.
We also urge the media and general public to respect the privacy of the families of our colleagues and passengers. It has been a difficult time for them.
The welfare of both the crew and passenger’s families remain our focus. At the same time, the security and safety of our passengers is of the utmost importance to us.
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