Recognition of heroism: Citizens prevent air tragedy on Flydubai flight
Israeli President Isaac Herzog awarded the Presidential Medal of Civil Heroism this Thursday to six citizens who prevented an air catastrophe during Flydubai flight FZ1073. The quick intervention of these passengers prevented the aircraft’s co-pilot from executing a plan to crash the plane at Tel Aviv airport.
The award winners were recognized for their bravery in the face of an extreme crisis situation. The group was composed of:
- Tali Manes, who detected the irregularity in the cockpit.
- Zvika Manes, who responded immediately to the distress call.
- Asaf Rajuan and Or Pardilov, key in subduing the attacker.
- Yaniv Hayoun, who took control of the aircraft during the sharp descent.
- Shota Musayev, a doctor who treated the wounded pilot and helped immobilize the aggressor.
Today we gather in Jerusalem to pay tribute to six Israelis, seemingly ordinary, who proved to be extraordinary human beings, true heroes, by saving the flight last week.
Isaac Herzog, President of Israel
Incident details and the attempted attack
The flight, which was covering the route between Dubai and Tel Aviv with 174 people on board, became the scene of an attempted terrorist attack. According to investigations by Emirati authorities, the co-pilot, of Omani origin, used an axe to attack the lead pilot, Smit Machchhar, seeking to force a nosedive into the destination airport. Thanks to the fact that the pilot, despite his injuries, managed to open the cockpit door, the passengers were able to intervene in time.
During the ceremony, the Israeli president emphasized that the passengers’ actions not only saved lives but also averted a tragedy that would have had global repercussions. Likewise, Herzog announced his intention to soon decorate pilot Machchhar for his resilience and determination.
The survivors’ account
The experience has left an indelible mark on the passengers, who now consider themselves a family after having shared the incident on September 30th. Asaf Rajuan, one of the heroes of the day, mentioned that that day marked a “second birthday” for everyone who was on board.
Tali Manes, whose intuition was vital in alerting about the unusual noises in the cabin, shared her reflection on the event: “I am a mother, with maternal instinct, and I was in the right place at the right time, surrounded by the best people possible.” For his part, Zvika Manes stressed that the collective collaboration of all the passengers was the determining factor in overcoming the crisis and ensuring the aircraft’s landing.
