'Hero' passengers save plane amid suspected terror attack, Netanyahu says

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A flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced into an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after one of its pilots allegedly stabbed the other and attempted to take control of the aircraft.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the passengers and crew members who intervened, saying their actions prevented what could have been a catastrophic crash.

The Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 was carrying 174 passengers on Sept. 30 when the violent confrontation unfolded inside the cockpit. The aircraft eventually landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The Plane Suddenly Plunged

According to passengers and flight data, the aircraft experienced a dramatic loss of altitude during the incident.

The plane reportedly dropped nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain. Despite being seriously injured, Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, managed to open the cockpit door and allow passengers and additional crew members to enter.

Passengers then rushed forward to help subdue the attacker.

Two off-duty pilots who were traveling as passengers were also able to take over and help stabilize the aircraft before it was diverted to Tabuk.

Passengers Become Part of the Rescue

Among those who intervened was Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun, who has since been praised for helping restrain the attacker.

Hayoun later told Netanyahu that he grabbed the controls after entering the cockpit, relying on what he had learned from watching aviation-related television programs.

Another passenger, dentist Dr. Shota Musayev, helped provide medical assistance to the wounded captain. Passengers used items including headphone cords and restraints to keep the alleged attacker under control.

Videos recorded after the confrontation showed passengers tending to the injured pilots while the aircraft remained in the air.

Netanyahu Calls Their Actions Heroic

Netanyahu publicly praised Machchhar and the passengers who intervened.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the captain's actions, despite being seriously injured, helped give passengers and crew access to the cockpit and ultimately helped save the lives of those aboard.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Machchhar, calling his response courageous and crediting him with helping avert a major disaster.

The passengers eventually arrived safely in Israel on another Flydubai aircraft.

Was It a Terror Attack?

Israeli officials are investigating the incident as a possible terrorist attack, but the motive has not been definitively established.

Netanyahu initially said the co-pilot appeared to have attempted to crash the plane. Israeli officials later said investigators were examining whether the attack was connected to extremist ideology.

Netanyahu has also said investigators believe the co-pilot had undergone what he described as radical Islamist indoctrination. However, the prime minister acknowledged that the underlying motive remains under investigation.

Flydubai has said the reasons behind the incident remain unknown and are subject to a formal investigation. Authorities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel are involved in examining what happened.

Captain Recovering After Attack

Machchhar was hospitalized in Saudi Arabia after suffering stab wounds.

Reports say he remained conscious long enough to help open the cockpit door, giving passengers the opportunity to intervene. He has since been described as recovering well.

The alleged attacker was taken into custody by Saudi authorities and is being questioned as investigators work to determine exactly what led to the confrontation.

A Flight That Nearly Ended in Disaster

What began as an ordinary flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv quickly became a terrifying emergency at cruising altitude.

The captain's ability to open the cockpit door, passengers' willingness to intervene and the presence of additional pilots aboard the aircraft all played a role in getting the plane safely to the ground.

For the 174 people aboard, the emergency ended not with a crash, but with an emergency landing — and a group of passengers and crew being credited with helping prevent a much greater tragedy.

Source: Good Morning America