Israeli Passengers Return Home After Foiling Alleged Pilot Attack on Dubai Flight
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli passengers foiled an alleged co-pilot's attempt to crash a Flydubai flight.
- The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia where passengers were later rescued.
- Passengers described a struggle in the cockpit and the plane losing altitude.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu praised a passenger who helped subdue the attacker.
- The incident is under ongoing investigation by authorities.
174 passengers, including 27 children, aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai returned safely to Israel on Wednesday evening, following a harrowing incident in the cockpit. The flight was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a co-pilot allegedly attempted to crash the plane by attacking the captain and tampering with the aircraft's systems. Israeli passengers intervened, subduing the assailant, while another pilot from the flight took control and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
After hours of fear and uncertainty, the rescue flight carrying the passengers landed at Ben Gurion Airport, where they were met by relieved family members, medical teams, and security forces. The passengers recounted the terrifying events, describing how the plane rapidly lost altitude amidst shouts from the cockpit. Passengers managed to enter the cockpit, reportedly after the injured captain managed to open the door before collapsing, and restrained the suspect.
One passenger, Yaniv Hayun, who was instrumental in subduing the alleged attacker, met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon arrival. Netanyahu praised Hayun as a hero. Hayun described how he and other Israeli passengers physically restrained the co-pilot, who was allegedly trying to disable the aircraft's instruments. He also noted that after the suspect was removed, he re-entered the cockpit and helped stabilize the plane until another pilot could take full control for the landing.
The rescue flight departed Saudi Arabia after being cleared by crew and Israeli intelligence. Some passengers were initially hesitant to fly with Flydubai again, but ultimately agreed when Saudi authorities did not permit an Israeli rescue plane. One passenger sustained a minor upper body injury and was taken to Assaf Harofeh Medical Center.
Prime Minister Netanyahu stated he had spoken with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed about security measures following the incident. The exact circumstances of the attack, the co-pilot's motives, and the precise sequence of events in the cockpit are still under investigation.
Read the original at JDNMentioned
