“It felt like, that’s it. It’s over. September 11 is happening again,” one passenger said.
By Shula Rosen
Passengers aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday praised three Israeli men who restrained an attacking co-pilot after a cockpit struggle left another pilot injured and sent the aircraft into a steep dive.
The flight eventually made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Passengers applauded and celebrated after the aircraft reached the ground safely.
Preliminary reports and passenger accounts said the co-pilot allegedly tried to deliberately crash the plane by putting it into a steep dive. A struggle broke out in the cockpit, during which the captain was stabbed and injured.
Israeli passengers and crew members responded after hearing screams from the cockpit area. Three Israelis subdued the attacker and tied him up.
Daniel, a passenger aboard the flight, told N12 that the aircraft dropped and spun uncontrollably for what he estimated was two or three minutes, though he said the episode felt considerably longer.
“It felt like, that’s it. It’s over. September 11 is happening again,” he said.
Hearing screams from the struggle, Daniel believed a terrorist attack was taking place. He later saw blood on the floor after the wounded pilot was removed from the cockpit.
Daniel called the Israelis who intervened “real heroes” and said the magnitude of what they had done was difficult to describe.
Uncertainty continued in the cabin after the attacker was restrained. Daniel said the passengers could see only desert below and, knowing Iran was nearby, he feared the aircraft might be hijacked there.
Two other pilots assumed control of the aircraft and initially provided no information to passengers as they focused on securing the plane. Daniel said they locked themselves inside the cockpit. He described the two Flydubai flight attendants as overwhelmed and uncertain how to respond.
“All kinds of thoughts were running through our heads,” Daniel said.
His fears began to subside after one of the pilots eventually announced that the aircraft would land.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also praised the passengers, questioning where else citizens would calmly overpower an armed attacker thousands of meters in the air while an aircraft was plunging to save 180 lives.
Do You Love Israel? Make a Donation - Show Your Support!
Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too!
Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion.
Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
STAND WTH ISRAEL - MAKE A DONATION TODAY!