Five Flydubai passengers to receive presidential awards for heroism
Five passengers aboard a Dubai to Tel Aviv flydubai flight that plummeted over 4,000 meters in 30 seconds after an apparent cockpit attack will receive presidential awards for civilian heroism. The October 1, 2026 announcement follows a September 30, 2026 emergency where three men stormed the cockpit to subdue a co-pilot allegedly attempting to crash the aircraft.
The violent midair struggle aboard flight FZ1073 left the Boeing 737 MAX diving rapidly more than two hours into its journey. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz characterized the event as a jihadist terrorist attack committed by the co-pilot, who has not been named, while investigations by Saudi authorities continue following an emergency diversion to Tabuk.
Presidential Recognition for Passengers Who Stormed the Cockpit
Israeli President Isaac Herzog named Yaniv Hayoun, Tzvika Manes, and Asaf Rajuan as the three passengers who physically subdued the co-pilot after he allegedly stabbed Indian national Smit Machchhar, the flight captain. Two additional passengers—Tali Niss, who spotted the danger, alerted travelers, and called for assistance from off-duty pilots in the rear cabin, and Dr. Shota Musayev, a dentist who treated the wounded captain—will also receive the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.
Australian couple Steven and Carol Moss were among the 174 passengers on board the aircraft, which carried 166 Israeli citizens. Steven Moss, the son of a Holocaust survivor who founded the Katies retail chain, declined media interviews after the flight landed safely in Tel Aviv via a secondary flydubai aircraft.
Cockpit Chaos and the Emergency Diversion to Saudi Arabia
The crisis erupted when the Boeing 737 MAX lost altitude abruptly, prompting the Israeli government to scramble fighter jets. Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister’s office, stated that the wounded captain used his remaining strength to unlock the cockpit door from the inside. Passengers rushing forward witnessed the injured captain on the floor while the co-pilot stood over the control panel bashing the instruments.
Two off-duty pilots stationed in the rear section of the plane entered the cockpit after being alerted by Tali Niss, regained control of the aircraft, and executed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met the arriving passengers in Israel, praising their actions for averting a mass casualty disaster.
Security Concerns Prompted by the Midair Incident
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin compared the event to 1970s Palestinian hijackings and the 9/11 attacks, emphasizing the ongoing necessity for vigilance against terrorism. Investigators are actively examining whether the co-pilot acted as a lone wolf or alongside co-conspirators, though Saudi authorities hold the suspect in custody for ongoing interrogation.