Israeli Passengers Thwart Hijacking Attempt on Flydubai Flight

A Flydubai flight was nearly brought down by a hijacker, but a group of Israeli passengers intervened, preventing a potential disaster at 30,000 feet. The incident occurred as the plane was nearing its destination, with the hijacker attacking the pilot, Sumit Machhar, in the cockpit. Tali Mans, a passenger, noticed the commotion through the open cockpit door and alerted others.

Four other passengers, Yaniv Hayun, Tzvika Mans, Assaf Radwan, and Dr. Shota Museyev, responded to the call for help. Hayun reportedly subdued the hijacker while the plane was in a nosedive, with Tzvika Mans using a headphone cable to restrain the attacker. Radwan fought the hijacker until he was bleeding and then helped calm other passengers. Dr. Museyev, a dentist, initially rushed to fight the hijacker and then provided medical assistance to the injured pilot.

Despite the chaos and lack of official roles or training, these five Israelis acted decisively. Tali Mans also played a crucial role by calling for a reserve pilot, who was traveling as a passenger, to take command of the aircraft. The plane, despite damage and bloodstains, landed safely.

The article contrasts this heroic act with a viral video posted by El Al captain Midian Bar, showing the mess left by Israeli passengers on a flight, and reflects on the stereotype of Israelis as impolite and loud. However, it argues that these same traits, when combined with courage and a strong sense of unity, can lead to extraordinary bravery in critical moments, likening their actions to a "horde" or "one body, one heart."