Israel will honor four passengers for their role in averting a potentially catastrophic mishap on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. President Isaac Herzog will name the four Israeli passengers for the country’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.
The incident occurred on Flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30 when Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot in the flight. The aircraft then dropped quickly and there were fears that disaster would take place.
Despite severe injuries, Captain Machchhar was able to fight off the attack and opened the cockpit door. This let passengers and crew members in and intervene.
Three passengers Yaniv Hayoun, Zvika Manes and Asaf Rajuan, as the Israeli president’s office said rushed into the cockpit and helped overpower the attacker. Hayoun also helped stabilize the aircraft’s controls during the emergency, it said.
Dr Shota Musayev is the fourth passenger being recommended for the award. The dentist provided medical attention to the badly injured Captain Machchhar and kept him stable until the aircraft could safely make an emergency landing.
The aircraft was finally landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. All 174 passengers survived the incident and the passengers were taken to Israel on a replacement flight.
President Herzog spoke to the four passengers and thanked them for their actions during the emergency. He also praised Captain Machchhar, who tried to open the cockpit door so passengers and crew could respond.
The four passengers are Yaniv Hayoun, Zvika Manes, Asaf Rajuan and Dr Shota Musayev. Their actions took place in the seconds after a cockpit emergency in which passengers acted in time to respond to the plane falling from its altitude.
Captain Machchhar has received widespread praise both from India and Israel for the incident. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also publicly thanked the Indian pilot for his assistance and said he saved a major disaster.
The incident is still under investigation and authorities are investigating how the cockpit became involved. There are reports that the co-pilot is an Omani national and the motive remains to be determined.
The Israeli civilian heroism awards will recognize not only the injured pilot but also passengers who intervened in the emergency. There was no loss of life in the accident as the plane was diverted and landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
The case has since attracted international attention, and Captain Machchhar and the passengers who helped bring the aircraft under control and protect all involved are also credited with the safety of the people on board.
