JERUSALEM, Israel | Israeli passengers who helped subdue an allegedly violent Flydubai co-pilot and prevent a plunging aircraft from becoming a catastrophe are being hailed as heroes, after President Isaac Herzog said four of them would be recommended for Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.
The four are Yaniv Hayoun, Tzvika Manes, Asaf Rajuan and Dr. Shota Musayev. Herzog also specifically commended Tali Manes, who first raised the alarm about the disturbance in the cockpit. The recognition followed the extraordinary events aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when the co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed Indian Captain Smit Machchhar.
According to the Associated Press and Reuters, the wounded captain managed to open the cockpit door while the aircraft was plunging, allowing passengers to enter and confront the attacker. Hayoun, a plumber who owns a sewage pumping company, helped overpower the co-pilot and briefly took hold of the aircraft’s controls as the jet descended sharply. He told reporters that his knowledge of aircraft emergencies came partly from watching the television program Air Crash Investigation.
Tzvika Manes, an executive at Bank Leumi’s underwriting arm, was among those who entered the cockpit and helped restrain the co-pilot. His wife, Tali Manes, was near the cockpit because their daughter had gone to the restroom when she heard the disturbance and alerted the cabin crew. Her warning helped trigger the passengers’ response.
Asaf Rajuan, another passenger who entered the cockpit, also helped overpower the attacker. Rajuan later described the response as instinctive, saying passengers did not know what was happening or where the aircraft would eventually land. The passengers used a headphone cord to restrain the co-pilot after the struggle.
Dr. Shota Musayev, a dentist, turned his attention to the badly wounded captain after the attacker was subdued. Musayev treated Machchhar’s injuries and worked to keep him stable while the aircraft remained in an emergency situation. Herzog cited Musayev’s medical intervention as lifesaving.
Machchhar’s actions were central to the rescue. Despite being seriously wounded and losing blood, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing the passengers to reach the attacker. Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked the Indian captain for the determination and actions that helped save lives, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised him.
The aircraft then had to be stabilized and landed safely. Passengers told reporters that two British pilots who were traveling aboard the flight as passengers ultimately helped land the aircraft at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Flydubai has said only that other people aboard assisted with landing the plane, without publicly detailing the crew members involved.
Reuters reported that the Boeing 737 was cruising at about 34,000 feet when it suddenly plunged more than 16,000 feet in roughly 30 seconds. The aircraft later transmitted emergency code 7700, followed by code 7500, indicating unlawful interference, before eventually landing safely after more than an hour of emergency maneuvers.
The co-pilot, an Omani national, was arrested after the emergency landing. Authorities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel are investigating the attack, while the UAE has said investigators are examining whether there was any terrorist activity or intent. The co-pilot’s motive has not been publicly established, and officials have cautioned that the investigation remains ongoing.
The incident has renewed attention on cockpit security, particularly because the alleged attacker was a member of the flight crew. Reinforced cockpit doors and strict access procedures became standard in commercial aviation following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when four U.S. passenger aircraft were hijacked and nearly 3,000 people were killed. In the Flydubai emergency, however, the injured captain’s ability to open the cockpit door enabled passengers to intervene when the aircraft was in immediate danger.
Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism was established by President Herzog after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack and is described by his office as the country’s highest civilian award for heroism. The planned recognition of Hayoun, Manes, Rajuan and Musayev reflects their distinct roles in an emergency in which passengers, crew and pilots worked together to prevent a potentially catastrophic outcome.
All 182 people aboard the flight survived. The investigation into what caused the cockpit attack and what motivated the co-pilot remains underway.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
