A two-seater glider crashed off the coast of Ras Al Khaimah on December 26, killing the 29-year-old pilot and 26-year-old Sulaymaan Al Majid. Born and reared in the United Arab Emirates, Sulaymaan an Indian doctor had chartered the glider for a sightseeing trip.

His family is broken by the crash that happened soon after takeoff close to the Cove Rotana Hotel. Confirming the December 29 tragedy, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said that an inquiry is under way to ascertain the crash's cause.

With his family at the aviation club to witness his glider flight, Sulaymaan Al Majid, a clinical fellow at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust in the UK, was The family was further shocked and heartbroken since his younger sibling was supposed to board the next plane. Majid Mukarram, his father, told Khaleej Times the agonizing specifics of the unfortunate event. He said the glider lost radio communication about two p.m., following departure. The family was first advised the glider had made an emergency landing and the occupants had been transferred to the hospital. When they got to the hospital, though, Sulaymaan and the pilot were both gravely injured and under resuscitation.

Sulaymaan died before the family could see him; his death was noted just after 4:30 p.m. The news of his death dashed his family's plans for New Year's celebration together. "We had family plans to celebrate the New Year and were excited about it. Rather, our life has been destroyed. Time seems to have halted for us, said Majid, his father. Sulaymaan was said to be the brightness in their life, hence his death leaves the family wondering about their next direction.

Sulaymaan was a driven doctor who also promoted his colleagues. Fighting for salary restoration and the reclassification of junior physicians, he first acted as the Honorary Secretary then the Co-Chair of the Northern Resident physicians Committee at the British Medical Association. His terrible death has been a great loss to his family as well as the medical community; he had a bright future. Sulaymaan was also recalled as a driven and committed person with great will to advance healthcare. Having graduated from Dubai Scholars School, he was well respected for his will and professionalism in his field of work.

The GCAA verified that a comprehensive inquiry is under way to identify the cause of the incident and that its Air Accident Investigation Sector had received a report on the disaster. Working jointly, relevant teams and authorities are trying to find the elements behind the crash. Acknowledging the great loss the victims have suffered, the GCAA also sent sympathies to the relatives and families of the dead. The study will probably look at several angles, including mechanical failure, environmental factors, and human mistake.

This terrible event marks another aviation disaster that happened in the United Arab Emirates barely one month ago. A flying instructor died on November 12 when a training aircraft lost radar contact soon after takeoff and subsequently crashed. On the shoreline of Fujairah, the instructor's body was found. These two events have generated questions over aviation safety in the United Arab Emirates, which led authorities to thoroughly review flight safety procedures and look at possible reasons of these crashes.

The Al Majid family, especially Sulaymaan's younger brother who was getting ready for his own flight when the glider crashed, has suffered greatly. The family has been left to grieve their loss; Sharjah is the scene of funeral preparations. On Sunday night, Sulaymaan's funeral took place at Al Ghusai graveyard; his younger brother sent the terrible news on Instagram in search of anonymity at this trying period.

Many in the community, especially those who knew Sulaymaan, have been disturbed by the episode. Though his early death reminds us of the frailty of life and the unanticipated catastrophes that may strike without notice, his contributions to the medical industry and his support for other doctors will not be forgotten.