Ex-Air Force Pilot Details 'Miracles' Saving Dubai Flight

A former fighter pilot has analyzed the dramatic events aboard a Flydubai flight, identifying three critical moments he believes averted disaster. Retired Lt. Col. Oded Shapira told Channel 14 that the plane was in a critical state, facing a potential crash within minutes.

Shapira highlighted the crucial role of the captain, identified as Captain Smith, in managing to open the cockpit door, stating that without this action, "it would have been almost impossible to do anything." He described a terrifying minute-and-a-half window where the plane, at 34,000 feet, was descending at a rate of 15,000 feet per minute, with an estimated two-and-a-half minutes until impact.

The former pilot then detailed the actions of Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun, who he said not only removed the hijacker but also entered the cockpit. "He took the controls and pulled, and brought the plane out," Shapira explained, noting the extreme difficulty of correcting such a flight path at high speed, especially with potential damage to the aircraft's tail.

Finally, Shapira pointed to the presence of additional pilots on board as a third critical factor. He emphasized that landing a plane requires specific familiarity, and having other qualified pilots available to take over after the immediate crisis was resolved was another "unbelievable chain of events" that separated life from death.