“It was insane”: Flydubai passenger recounts subduing co-pilot after cockpit attack
Tzvika Manes, CEO of Bank Leumi's underwriting arm, was among the passengers who helped restrain the Omani co-pilot after he allegedly stabbed the captain, forcing the Flydubai flight to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Tzvika Manes, CEO of Bank Leumi's underwriting arm Barak Capital Underwriting, was aboard the Flydubai flight that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain, and was among the passengers who helped subdue the attacker.
Manes told Calcalist that he was involved in restraining the co-pilot during the incident. He was visibly shaken by what he described as an "incredibly traumatic event."
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Flydubai and one of the passengers who restrained the co-pilot.
(Photo: Photofex_AUT / Shutterstock.com)
"My wife was standing near the cockpit because our daughter was in the restroom. Suddenly, she heard shouting coming from the cockpit. She yelled to a relief pilot from who was sitting nearby: 'Go in quickly, see what's happening.'"
"He called for help, and two other men and I entered the cockpit and subdued the attacker. I'm covered in blood. It was insane," Manes said.
According to Manes, a doctor who was aboard the flight treated the injured captain.
"A doctor who was on board bandaged the pilot, treated him, and allowed the flight to continue," he said.
The Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating as flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport, ultimately landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Flydubai said all passengers were safe and accounted for and that its teams were working with the relevant authorities.
According to information emerging from the investigation, the co-pilot from Oman is suspected of attempting to crash the aircraft. After the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, he was handed over to Saudi authorities for questioning, with Israeli authorities also involved in the process.
The flight departed Dubai at 7:05 a.m. and was scheduled to arrive at Ben Gurion Airport at around 9:30 a.m. About an hour and a half into the flight, as the aircraft entered Jordanian airspace, it transmitted code 7700, the international emergency code.
The aircraft subsequently transmitted code 7500, which indicates unlawful interference or a hijacking, according to aviation tracking data. The plane then turned around, re-entered Saudi airspace and began flying at a significantly lower altitude.
After heading south over Saudi Arabia, the aircraft turned west while remaining over Saudi territory.
Tracking data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft descending sharply from approximately 34,000 feet to around 14,000 feet. At one point, the tracking system recorded an instantaneous descent rate of approximately 30,976 feet per minute. Sharp fluctuations in the aircraft's ground speed were also observed during the incident.
The events initially triggered fears in Israel that the aircraft had been hijacked. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled as authorities sought to establish what was happening aboard the flight.
Another Flydubai flight, FZ1081, which was also traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, subsequently turned back. The reason for that diversion was not immediately known.
The incident prompted an urgent security response in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz convened a security consultation, while the IDF Chief of Staff held a situational assessment with the Air Force commander, the head of the Operations Directorate, the head of the Military Intelligence Directorate and other commanders.
Flydubai issued a statement confirming that FZ1073 had been involved in an incident during the flight and had landed safely in Tabuk.
"Flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai (DXB) to Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) on September 30, was involved in an incident during the flight. The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk (TUU), and all passengers are safe and accounted for. The safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain the company's top priority. The company's teams are working closely with the relevant authorities. Further updates will be provided as additional verified details become available."
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation by the relevant authorities.
