Israeli Passengers Recount Foiling Co-Pilot's Attack on Flydubai Flight

New details have emerged regarding the dramatic incident aboard a Flydubai flight earlier this week, where Israeli passengers subdued a co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash the plane. In an interview with the "New York Post," Israeli passengers Zvika Mansa and Daniel Schlichter described how, after incapacitating co-pilot Al-Hamami with zip ties and headphone cords, some flight attendants requested they release him. "We immediately suspected them," Mansa stated, recounting a heated exchange where attendants told the Israelis, "You are not God, you cannot kill him." Mansa clarified that the passengers had no intention of killing the co-pilot, only of preventing him from killing them. Schlichter added that the Israelis administered oxygen to the injured attacker's face to keep him alive for interrogation. Fearing the crew's involvement in the co-pilot's alleged intentions, the Israeli passengers took control of the aircraft. "We told them that from now on, we are in charge and they do what we say," Mansa explained. Schlichter and other passengers escorted the crew to seats in the middle of the cabin and instructed them to remain there, stationing one passenger to guard the cockpit entrance. Pilots then entered the cockpit and took control of the plane. The crew eventually understood the gravity of the situation and helped calm the frightened passengers. The incident concluded with a safe emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following a steep and dangerous dive of approximately 17,000 feet. Flydubai stated that it cannot comment on the specifics of the case due to an ongoing investigation and that it is fully cooperating with the relevant authorities.