Israeli Passengers Recount Daring Mid-Air Takedown of Hijacking Co-Pilot

Several Israeli passengers who subdued a co-pilot attempting to hijack a Flydubai flight recounted their harrowing experience, describing moments of terror and disbelief as the plane plunged and passengers screamed. The incident, which occurred on a flight to Saudi Arabia, saw the co-pilot apparently stab the captain and attempt to crash the aircraft. Passengers, including Assaf Radwan, Yaniv Hayoun, Zvika Mans, and Yitzhak Liber, described hearing screams from the cockpit and seeing it fill with blood, prompting them to act.

Radwan recounted how the plane lost control and descended sharply, realizing "there was no control over the plane." He and four other passengers entered the cockpit, overpowering the assailant. "It was a matter of life or death," he stated, emphasizing their collective bravery. Two British flight crew members also assisted, with one, identified as James, managing to stabilize the aircraft while the passengers restrained the co-pilot with zip ties for 55 minutes until landing.

Yaniv Hayoun, who met with Prime Minister Netanyahu after the incident, described his actions, including a chokehold on the assailant and pulling the aircraft's controls. When asked how he knew what to do, he replied, "I study aviation in my investigation." Zvika Mans described the event as "super-traumatic" and believed it was a terrorist attack. He noted the fear of children on board, who cried, "We don't want to die."

Another passenger, Yitzhak Liber, stated in a video that they "took down a perpetrator with a knife who stabbed one of the pilots." He added that their clothes were covered in blood from the struggle. Dr. Shota Museyev confirmed they realized it was an attack but felt it was under control after subduing the perpetrator and stabilizing the injured captain. The flight eventually landed safely in Saudi Arabia, where passengers received medical attention and support.