'Prepared ourselves for the worst': FlyDubai passenger recounts moments during cockpit attack
Almog Italie and his family were on the final leg of their trip home following a vacation in Japan when they felt FlyDubai flight FZ1073 plummet. Italie was one of 174 people on board the plane earlier this week when one of the pilots stabbed the other in an attempt to crash the plane. The flight plunged 30,000 feet in under 30 seconds.
Amog Italie was on his way home to Israel following family trip to Japan during foiled attack
Anya Zoledziowski · CBC News
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Almog Italie and his family were on the final leg of their trip home following a vacation in Japan when they felt FlyDubai flight FZ1073 plummet.
"Suddenly we were moving like a roller-coaster without any notice ... I thought it was turbulence," Italie said, adding that after several seconds, the plane stabilized before it started diving again.
He quickly realized something was amiss.
"We understood something is wrong and something is going on in the cockpit, because that wasn't normal at all," he told CBC News.
WATCH | The FlyDubai flight survived against impossible odds. Here's how:
How a FlyDubai flight survived a hijacking attempt against impossible odds | About That
October 1|
Duration
11:52
A FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv plummeted more than 17,000 feet through the air after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain in the plane's cockpit. Andrew Chang breaks down the attack and how the plane managed to land safely despite the odds. (Photo credits: The Canadian Press, Reuters, Adobe Stock and Getty Images)Italie was one of 174 people on board the plane earlier this week when one of the pilots stabbed the other in an attempt to crash the plane. The flight plunged 30,000 feet in under 30 seconds.
"It was very fast," Italie said of the situation.
He recounted how crew and passengers ran to the cockpit to foil the attempt.
A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later revealed how the stabbed pilot, Indian national Smit Machchhar, was covered with blood and on the floor when he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to rush in, subdue the perpetrator and let a second pair of FlyDubai pilots take over the flight.
Those involved resurfaced several minutes later to update the other passengers and confirm that they were looking for a safe place to land.
"So, what needed to be done was to maintain calm, stay in the seats and do nothing else that would cause chaos," Italie said. "And this is exactly what saved our lives. Nobody panicked and we controlled the situation."
"We didn't know how the landing was going to go, so we prepared ourselves for the worst," he added.
Ultimately, the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where Italie said authorities warmly welcomed passengers and crew, even providing food.
"They were very, very nice," Italie said. "Much appreciated."
'Unity' saved everyone's life: passenger
Hours later, passengers were on board a different flight and made it to Tel Aviv. But passengers continue to recount those terrifying minutes.
"I just can say that it was a miracle. It was awful, crazy, and we thank God that we survived it. We didn't think we will make it, but thank God we are in Israel. We are back home. And we are happy to see everyone here," said another passenger, Lital Shachaf.
For Italie, the "unity" on board saved everyone's life.
Yaniv Hayun, 50, was one of four passengers who rushed to the cockpit during the chaos to overpower the unidentified co-pilot behind the attack. He said he learned what to do thanks to an aircrash television show. Another, a dentist, treated Machchhar's wounds.
"The people united. We helped each other," Italie said. "That's a message I want to share."
WATCH | U.A.E. opens investigation into foiled FlyDubai flight cockpit attack:
U.A.E. opens investigation into FlyDubai cockpit attack
October 1|
Duration
8:10
The United Arab Emirates prosecutor general has ordered an investigation into the stabbing aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which was diverted and landed in Saudi Arabia after a struggle in the cockpit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker was being investigated in Saudi Arabia. Leaders in Israel and India are hailing Flight FZ1073 captain and Indian national Smit Machchhar as a hero for saving the passengers.ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anya Zoledziowski is a Peabody-winning multimedia journalist from Edmonton who's covered social and climate justice, Indigenous affairs, gender, politics and more, and has been recognized by several national and international awards. She’s currently pursuing her PhD in journalism studies.
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