Hijacked Flight to Israel Saved After Passengers Storm Cockpit

A flight carrying Israelis home from Dubai for Sukkos was hijacked Wednesday morning, setting off a dramatic midair struggle before passengers and crew forced their way into the cockpit and overpowered the attacker. The plane eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, with everyone aboard safely on the ground.

As the incident unfolded, the aircraft suddenly began plunging and Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held an urgent security consultation, while senior security officials followed the developing situation. According to reports, the IDF chief of staff also consulted with the heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad.

According to the latest Israeli assessment, the attacker, an Omani co-pilot, stabbed the captain and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft with everyone aboard. Israeli passengers and a crew member managed to force their way into the cockpit and overpower him as he tried to sabotage the plane’s systems, while another flight crew that happened to be aboard entered the cockpit and managed to stabilize the aircraft.

Netanyahu said he spoke directly with one of the Israeli passengers involved.

“He told me that the plane went into a spin and began to dive. He told me that, somehow or other, he managed to break into the cockpit with one of the crew members, and that together they neutralized the stabbing pilot while he was trying to sabotage the plane’s systems. Another flight crew on board entered the cockpit and managed to stabilize the plane.”

“I salute these heroes, who displayed exceptional resourcefulness and courage,” Netanyahu said. “They saved many lives. They prevented a huge disaster.”

Passengers described terrifying moments as the aircraft suddenly lost altitude. One passenger recalled believing that the plane was about to crash.

“We felt that this was it, we were about to crash. I was already screaming Shema Yisrael. I said, ‘I can’t die. I’m my mother’s only daughter. I can’t do this to my mother.’”

Flight data later showed just how sharp the plunge had been. FlyDubai flight FZ1073 was carrying 174 passengers when the aircraft dropped nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before eventually stabilizing.

Several minutes later, the plane transmitted 7700, the international code for a general emergency. It subsequently transmitted 7500, the code used to signal unlawful interference or hijacking, as the aircraft changed course over the region and contact was disrupted for a time.

Early reports had suggested that the emergency may have stemmed from an altercation between the pilots, but that picture quickly changed as testimony was collected from those aboard. Israeli officials are now treating the incident as a terror attack.

Katz described it as “an attempted jihadist terror attack,” saying it had been thwarted by the bravery of Israeli passengers who broke into the cockpit and overpowered the attacker.

“According to the initial information in our possession, the terrorist had one intention: to crash the plane with all of its passengers,” Katz said.

Netanyahu said the attacking pilot was arrested after the aircraft landed and is being interrogated by Saudi authorities. He also instructed the security services to prepare for additional possible threats as ongoing situation assessments continue.

The aircraft diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely with all 174 passengers accounted for. A replacement FlyDubai aircraft was later sent to collect them, though some passengers initially refused to board another FlyDubai flight following the hijacking.

The passengers ultimately boarded and have now arrived safely back in Eretz Yisroel. Israeli Air Force fighter jets escorted the returning flight into Israel before it landed at Ben Gurion Airport.

In the wake of the dramatic rescue, calls spread to strengthen Mivtza Arba Minim during the remaining days of Sukkos, bringing the mitzvah to more Yidden in gratitude for the extraordinary nes.