Israeli Passengers Thwart Mid-Air Sabotage on Flydubai Flight
Israeli passengers and a dentist aboard a dramatic Flydubai flight thwarted an attempt by an Omani co-pilot to crash the plane, earning praise from world leaders.
A routine Flydubai flight turned into a dramatic rescue mission when an Omani co-pilot reportedly attempted to crash the aircraft. Quick-thinking Israeli passengers and a dentist on board managed to overpower the attacker and avert a catastrophic disaster.
Heroic Intervention at 35,000 Feet
Dr. Shota Mosayev, a 47-year-old dentist from Rishon LeZion, found himself stepping into a high-stakes medical and security crisis mid-flight. When three Israeli passengers rushed the cockpit to stop the co-pilot from sabotaging the plane, Mosayev immediately joined the effort. "At that exact second, we didn't think for a single second about our own lives or what would happen to us, but rather about how to save the entire plane," Mosayev recalled at his home.
While the heroic passengers subdued the attacker, Mosayev tended to the wounded Indian captain, Smith Matchachar, who fought valiantly to protect the aircraft. Applying his medical background—his late father was a cardiologist and his late mother a biologist—Mosayev managed to stop severe bleeding and stabilize the captain. Following an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, passengers received medical attention and were later flown back.
International Recognition and Trump's Remarks
Yaniv Chayon, a 38-year-old from Ness Ziona who played a pivotal role in subduing the attacker, reacted to comments made by United States President Donald Trump. Trump humorously noted that an Israeli plumber who had barely flown before stepped up to save the day. Chayon took the remarks in stride, stating, "I am an upgraded plumber. He wasn't wrong, I don't work for NASA... and he was right, it didn't insult me at all."
"In moments when the lives of so many people were in danger, you acted without hesitation, with extraordinary courage, resourcefulness, and mutual responsibility," Israeli President Isaac Herzog told the heroes during a phone call.
President Isaac Herzog announced his intention to recommend awarding the Presidential Medal for Civilian Bravery to the four Israeli heroes and the Indian captain who risked their lives to prevent a massive tragedy.
