OMM Redaksiyası
Passengers on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv reached Israel safely after an attempt to take control of the aircraft.
The incident occurred on Wednesday. According to preliminary reports, the co-pilot stabbed the pilot and forced the aircraft into a steep descent. Passengers and crew members intervened, while additional pilots on board helped restore control of the aircraft.
Tense moments on board
Passenger Yaniv Hayun described the situation inside the aircraft. He said passengers realized an attack was taking place after a woman shouted that someone was “being stabbed.”
Hayun said he ran toward the cockpit as the aircraft rapidly descended: “We removed the attacker. After that, we helped take control of the aircraft.”
He said the passengers’ main objective was to land safely: “It did not matter whether we landed in Saudi Arabia, Angola or somewhere else. We just had to land.”
Another passenger, Almog Itai, said the aircraft “descended very sharply” before it was stabilized.
Passengers reach Israel
The aircraft was diverted to the Saudi Arabian city of Tabuk, where the co-pilot was detained. After more than 10 hours, the passengers reached Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv on a replacement flight.
According to paramedic Aryeh Myers, one passenger sustained a chest injury and was in light condition.
Families were reportedly left anxious while waiting for news of their relatives. The mother of one passenger said they had endured “a very frightening hour.”
Investigation to be launched
Israeli officials described the incident as a serious security incident. Flydubai said the reasons for the confrontation remained unclear and warned against “premature speculation.”
According to an Israeli official, the co-pilot is an Omani national and is being questioned by Saudi authorities. Israel’s Ministry of Transport said a joint investigation would be conducted.
