Flydubai Hijacking Attempt: Inside the Pilots' Safe Landing in Saudi Arabia
Four days after a hijacking attempt on a Flydubai flight, passengers detail the heroics of two reserve pilots who safely landed the plane in Saudi Arabia.
Four days after an attempted hijacking on a Flydubai flight, the identity of the two reserve pilots who safely landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia remains unreleased. Daniel Schlichter, returning from a vacation in Japan with his wife, recounted the rapid response of the pilots and the initial panic among passengers who feared they might be collaborating with the hijacker.
"It was a miracle," Schlichter described. The reserve pilots were on board because they were scheduled to fly the aircraft back from Tel Aviv to Dubai. When passenger Yaniv Chayon intervened and other passengers subdued the attacker, one of the off-duty pilots rushed into the cockpit to take the controls. The second pilot soon joined, and they secured the heavy cockpit door.
After sealing the cockpit, the lack of communication caused temporary anxiety among passengers who worried the plane was being diverted to Iran. Roughly 45 minutes later, the pilots announced an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, reassuring everyone on board.
