President to Honor Fifth Hero of Flydubai Incident

Passenger Tali Mans is being recommended for a presidential medal of courage for her actions during an incident on a Flydubai flight, according to new testimonies. President Isaac Herzog will recommend her for the award, which would make her the fifth recipient alongside four other Israelis already nominated. The President's office stated that Mans's role was significant in managing the event and saving passengers. After hearing disturbances from the cockpit, she was the first to alert passengers and call for help. Her call prompted other passengers to assist. After the cockpit incident concluded, Mans also summoned pilots from the rear of the plane to the cockpit to help regain control.

During the incident, pilot Machear struggled with an assailant and managed to open the cockpit door. Following Mans's alert, passengers Yaniv Hayun, Zvika Mans, and Assaf Rejwan rushed to help, entered the cockpit area, and assisted in subduing the attacker. Hayun also helped stabilize the aircraft's controls until additional pilots arrived to help restore full control. After the attacker was neutralized, Dr. Shota Musayev provided medical treatment to the severely injured pilot, Captain Smith, stabilizing his condition until an emergency landing in Tabuk.

The passengers were later returned to Israel on a replacement flight. President Herzog had previously expressed his appreciation to the four nominated passengers, noting their actions involved significant personal risk to save others. He also thanked Captain Machear for his bravery during the event. The Presidential Medal of Civilian Courage honors civilians who exhibit exceptional bravery and risk their lives to save others, following a review by an advisory committee.