A routine flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an
Tali Manes, a passenger on the
Passengers Intervene to Prevent Hijack
The sight of the attack prompted Manes to scream, a reaction that alerted several other passengers, including a plumber, a dentist, and a financial planner, to the danger. Despite the aircraft suddenly lurching into a steep dive, the group rushed toward the cockpit. According to Tzvika Manes, who joined the effort to subdue the attacker, the group managed to place the co-pilot in a chokehold and pull him away from the captain.
As the struggle ensued, passengers took immediate action to secure the situation. One individual used wired headsets to bind the assailant’s wrists and ankles, while another applied an oxygen mask to the injured captain to assist with his breathing and attempt to control his bleeding. The incident, which occurred approximately 52 minutes before the flight’s scheduled arrival in Tel Aviv, was captured on video by a passenger at 9:23 am Dubai time.
Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia
Following the neutralization of the attacker, the situation inside the flight deck remained critical. A plumber who had assisted in the intervention and the backup pilot initially took control of the aircraft’s systems. Shortly thereafter, another pilot on board persuaded the passengers guarding the cockpit to allow him entry, where he took over the controls of the damaged aircraft.
The flight was successfully diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely at approximately 9:45 am. The intervention by the passengers and the subsequent actions of the pilots on board prevented the situation from escalating further, ensuring the aircraft reached the ground despite the captain being incapacitated during the flight.
