Stories
Pilot Stabbed Mid-Flight: Passengers Recount Terrifying Ordeal on Flydubai Plane
- •A routine Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv turned terrifying when the aircraft rapidly lost altitude near the Jordanian border.
- •Passenger Almog Italie, traveling with his family, initially thought the rapid descent was turbulence but then saw passengers and crew rushing towards the cockpit.
- •Passengers learned that the Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, who fought back and opened the cockpit door.
- •Passengers, including Yaniv Hayoun, intervened to overpower the attacker, while a dentist provided medical aid to the injured pilot.
- •Two relief pilots took control, diverted the flight to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely, with Italie praising Captain Machchhar as a "global hero".
Key Questions Answered
A routine flight turned terrifying when the Omani co-pilot attempted to sabotage the aircraft and stabbed Indian Captain Smit Machchhar near the Jordanian border. Crew members and passengers, including Yaniv Hayoun, intervened to overpower the attacker while relief pilots safely diverted the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
As the Boeing 737 rapidly lost altitude, passengers and crew members rushed toward the front of the aircraft. Passenger Yaniv Hayoun and other crew members choked and pulled the co-pilot away from the cockpit, securing the area while a dentist provided emergency medical aid to the injured captain.
Following the intervention and the takeover of the flight by two relief pilots seated towards the rear, the aircraft was safely diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Passengers received a warm welcome and comprehensive care from local medical staff and authorities.
