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Israelis Swell with Pride over Foiled Plane Disaster

Passengers and off-duty pilots restrained the suspected attacker, and the Boeing 737 MAX landed safely with 174 people aboard, officials said.

  • On Wednesday, Flydubai Flight FZ1073 diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent cockpit attack. Indian Captain Smit Machchhar alerted the crew despite severe injuries while the flight carried 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and overpower the attacker.
  • Plumber Yaniv Hayun, banker Zvika Manes, insurance executive Assaf Rajuan, and dentist Shota Musaev restrained the assailant. Hayun credited his knowledge of the controls to watching the television program Air Crash Investigation.
  • Following the struggle, two off-duty pilots took control of the Boeing and guided it to safety in Tabuk. Musaev treated the wounded captain, stopping bleeding from severe head and hand injuries until landing.
  • Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced he would recommend the four Israeli passengers for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism. Authorities continue examining the sequence of events and motive behind the attack.
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17 Articles

Lean Left

The crash of a flydubai plane with 174 people on board stopped after the pilot was stabbed by his fellow Israeli passenger, who had never piloted the plane before. A plumber named Janiv Hajun, who pulled the knife at a critical moment before the backup pilot took over, is, according to his words, a viewer of a TV show about the investigation of air accidents. Hajun was one of the passengers who entered the cockpit and disabled the co-pilot, who …

Left

A FlyDubai plane flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv nearly crashed on September 30 after a co-pilot attacked the aircraft captain right in the cockpit. The tragedy was prevented thanks to the actions of the people on board: together they were able to neutralize the attacker and land the plane. This is how it was.

·Riga, Latvia
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Lean Right

Five men aboard Dubai-Tel-Aviv managed to regain control of the aircraft after the first officer stabbed the captain in the cockpit.

·Paris, France
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Al-Monitor broke the news in Washington, United States on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
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