Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told four passengers who helped thwart an attempted takeover of a Flydubai flight that they will be invited to light a torch at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony, praising their actions after the aircraft was forced into an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu met the passengers in Jerusalem after the September 30 incident aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Boeing 737 Max 8 was diverted to Tabuk after an Omani co-pilot attacked the captain in the cockpit and the aircraft plunged thousands of metres in a matter of seconds.
The passengers intervened as the pilots struggled in the cockpit. They helped overpower the attacker and allowed the crew to regain control of the aircraft. All 174 people aboard the flight survived.
The Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, was seriously injured during the attack but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter. He has since been recovering in hospital.
Netanyahu had earlier described Machchhar as a hero, saying his actions helped prevent what could have been a catastrophic crash. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised the pilot for his actions.
During his meeting with Yaniv Hayoun, Or Fradilov, Dr. Shota Musayev and Sigalit Musayev, Netanyahu praised their courage and said they had helped prevent a major disaster.
“The whole world sees your Israeli heroism,” Netanyahu told them, according to his office. He said they would light a torch honouring civilian heroism at the Independence Day ceremony.
The announcement, however, is not by itself a formal appointment. Israel’s traditional Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony follows an official selection process involving an advisory committee and the relevant government authorities.
The passengers’ intervention came after the aircraft experienced a dramatic loss of altitude while flying toward Israel. The captain had been attacked in the cockpit, while the co-pilot allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft.
Hayoun later described entering the cockpit and restraining the attacker. He also said he pulled back on the aircraft’s controls after seeing the plane’s nose pointed downward, before other crew members regained control.
The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The passengers were later transported to Israel.
The incident is being investigated by authorities in several countries. The motive of the co-pilot has not been established, and investigators have yet to publicly determine whether the episode was connected to a wider extremist or terrorist plot.
The incident has nevertheless prompted renewed scrutiny of aviation security, particularly on flights entering Israel. Israeli authorities have said they would examine the identities and backgrounds of pilots operating flights into the country.
Netanyahu’s decision to honour the passengers comes as Israel prepares for its annual Independence Day celebrations, where civilians are traditionally recognised for exceptional contributions or acts of courage.
The recognition also highlights the different roles played by the people aboard the aircraft. Machchhar, despite being wounded, helped open the cockpit to allow others to intervene, while passengers and crew members physically subdued the attacker and assisted in bringing the aircraft under control.
Together, their actions prevented the incident from becoming a larger aviation disaster and allowed all 174 passengers and crew members to reach safety.
Tighten the lead and remove repetitionClarify the torch invitation’s status
