Tel Aviv, Oct 2: Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced national civilian bravery awards for five Israeli passengers who helped overpower a Flydubai co-pilot during a midair emergency, preventing what authorities are investigating as an attempt to crash the aircraft.
“You risked yourselves to save others and prevented a major disaster,” Herzog said on Thursday, thanking the passengers on behalf of Israel. He also praised the aircraft’s Indian pilot, Smit Machha, for his actions during the emergency.
According to Israeli authorities, the pilot opened the cockpit door and sought help from passengers and crew after being stabbed by the co-pilot. The attacker was subsequently restrained.
The five passengers include Yaniv Hayun, a plumber who was reportedly the first to enter the cockpit and help subdue the co-pilot. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu personally welcomed Hayun at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday while he was still wearing a blood-stained shirt.
Another recipient, Asaf Razuan, said passengers acted because they had little choice but to protect themselves, their families and others aboard. Tali Manes, whose husband was also among the award recipients, was added to the list after authorities said she first alerted other passengers after hearing a disturbance in the cockpit and called for assistance.
The incident occurred aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 100 Israeli passengers. The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia following the cockpit confrontation.
During the emergency, the aircraft initially transmitted squawk code 7700, indicating a general emergency, before sending 7500, the code for unlawful interference or hijacking. It later reverted to 7700.
The signals initially raised fears of a hijacking. Israeli fighter jets were reportedly scrambled and security authorities raised their alert level. Netanyahu also convened consultations with defence officials.
The aircraft landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli authorities later said the incident was not a hijacking but an emergency arising from a confrontation between the pilots.
Authorities are investigating reports that one pilot attempted to deliberately crash the aircraft and that the other stabbed him while trying to prevent it. Flight tracking data reportedly showed the aircraft descending around 4,000 meters within seconds.
Flydubai confirmed that FZ1073 encountered an “incident” en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv and diverted safely to Tabuk. The airline said all passengers were safe and that it was cooperating with relevant authorities.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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