Tel Aviv flight passengers recount harrowing moments during mid-air attack

Passengers on FlyDubai Flight 1073 recounted harrowing moments during an alleged mid-air attack on Wednesday. The passengers, primarily Israeli citizens, expressed fear and anger after surviving what Israeli officials described as an attempted terror attack thousands of feet in the air. After the ordeal, the plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where the injured pilot was taken to a hospital and passengers were repatriated later that day. The suspect remains in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.

According to Israeli officials, the plane's first officer allegedly stabbed the captain and then rapidly descended the aircraft. Passengers described feeling the impact almost immediately, with one describing it as "chaos, screaming, and a crazy drop." Another passenger, Miram, recounted hearing screams from the cockpit and witnessing the bloody pilot, saying, "We felt like we were, like, going to crash."

Passengers worked together to subdue the suspect, while another crew member managed to regain control of the plane. Itzhak Liber, a passenger, shared his experience via a Facebook post, expressing relief that they were safely landing in Saudi Arabia. The passengers arrived back in Tel Aviv to a warm welcome, expressing gratitude for surviving what they described as a close call.