Jerusalem – A passenger on a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv described a dramatic rescue by two unidentified pilots who stepped into the cockpit after a violent confrontation between the captain and copilot threatened to turn the aircraft into a disaster.
What happened in the cabin
According to Daniel Schlichter, who was seated in the second row, the flight began a terrifying descent when the copilot repeatedly attacked the captain, leaving blood in the cabin. The captain, though badly wounded, managed to unlock the cockpit door.
Passengers seized the opportunity to pull the copilot from the cockpit and restrain him. At that moment, the two traveling pilots – crew members who were deadheading on the flight – rushed forward. One of them leapt over the struggling passengers, reached the pilot’s seat, and began to take control of the aircraft. The second pilot followed, and together they closed the cockpit door to prevent further interference.
Stabilizing the aircraft
Schlichter said the pilots acted with remarkable speed and composure, quickly gaining command of the plane. It took “quite a lot of minutes,” possibly ten or more, to steady the aircraft after a severe dive that even tore part of the rudder.
During the emergency, a mayday call was transmitted as the crew searched for a safe landing site. Passengers, initially uncertain about the pilots’ intentions, voiced concerns that the plane might be diverted to an unknown destination.
Safe landing in Saudi Arabia
After about 45 minutes, the pilots announced that the aircraft would land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The flight touched down without further incident, and passengers expressed relief and gratitude for the quick actions of the two unknown pilots.
“He acted really like a hero, taking over the plane and reacting as if he understood exactly what was happening,” Schlichter said. “We owe him our lives, not less than the other heroes on the flight.”
Investigation ongoing
FlyDubai has identified the two men only as on‑duty crew members traveling on the flight and has not released further details. Authorities are investigating the cause of the cockpit altercation and the circumstances that led to the emergency landing.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
