Passengers Describe Terror and Heroism on Flydubai Flight Amid Suspected Attack

Passengers aboard a flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv described a terrifying ordeal involving a sudden aircraft nosedive and a suspected attack on the pilot, ultimately praising the heroism of fellow passengers and off-duty pilots who helped regain control and land the plane. Passengers recounted screams and the sight of blood after the cockpit doors were opened, describing the experience as one where they believed they were going to die.

One passenger, Miriam Ohayon, whose brother was killed in the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, stated that "all hell broke loose" when the plane began to nosedive. After the flight captain, Smit Machchhar, released the cockpit doors, passengers witnessed the bloody scene within, leading to further panic.

Another passenger, Mika Bauman, described the sensation of the plane losing altitude as being "a million times worse than a drop on a rollercoaster." She told CNN, "I was just sure I was going to die. You’re just sitting there and accepting your fate." Bauman also noted that those who intervened to subdue the co-pilot were covered in blood, making them easy to identify.

Itzhak Liber, one of the passengers who assisted in subduing the attacker, shared that his clothes were saturated with blood. Zvika Manes, an Israeli banking executive, echoed this sentiment, stating, "I’m covered in blood. It was crazy!"

Lital Shahar, traveling with her four daughters, expressed that her family was terrified. However, she found comfort in the bravery of other passengers and the presence of two off-duty pilots who were instrumental in landing the aircraft. Shahar referred to the events as "two miracles – that Israelis were on the plane who heroically went into the cockpit… and that there were off-duty pilots onboard who could land the plane."

Authorities are investigating the incident as a suspected terrorist attack. The co-pilot, identified as an Omani national who had worked for flydubai for less than a year, allegedly attacked Captain Machchhar. The aircraft reportedly descended approximately 18,000 feet during the commotion, and images from the scene showed damage to the plane's rudder. Passengers praised the quick actions of those who rushed into the cockpit to prevent further disaster.