Flydubai Passenger Recounts Hijacking Attempt and Saudi Landing

An Israeli passenger, Ofer Dubrowski, has shared new details about an incident aboard a Flydubai flight from the UAE to Israel, which involved an attempted hijacking by the co-pilot. Dubrowski, returning from Kathmandu, described waking up to chaos as passengers subdued the co-pilot after he allegedly stabbed the captain. He recounted how a fellow passenger, Tali Manes, alerted the crew to the situation, leading to the discovery of blood in the cockpit. Dubrowski stated that he and other passengers then rushed to the cockpit, where they found the captain wounded and managed to overpower the co-pilot, restraining him with headphone wires and plastic zip ties.

Following the struggle, the aircraft experienced a sharp descent, losing approximately 5,500 meters in about 30 seconds, which host Steve Shaybner, a former US Navy pilot, suggested might have been due to the co-pilot damaging flight controls. After regaining control, Israeli fighter jets reportedly scrambled to the aircraft after a hijacking code was activated. The flight was then diverted to Saudi Arabia, as the replacement crew was apparently not permitted to land in Israel.

Dubrowski described the tense hour of flight to Saudi Arabia, during which passengers guarded the cockpit and remained vigilant of the crew, fearing further threats. His wife, a psychotherapist, helped calm panicked passengers. Upon landing in Saudi Arabia, the aircraft was met by emergency services and military personnel. Dubrowski managed to obtain SIM cards for himself and about 20 other Israelis to contact their families.

A replacement crew was dispatched by Flydubai to bring the passengers home. Dubrowski recounted that this crew was unaware of the incident and was shocked to learn what had happened. He described the new crew as patient and reassuring, and noted that passengers were hesitant to board the identical-looking aircraft. Dubrowski ultimately helped convince fellow passengers to trust the new crew, emphasizing that every person on board had contributed to managing the crisis.