‘There was nobody in the cockpit’: Israeli passenger reconstructs flydubai attack

An Israeli businessman recounted the harrowing events of an attack on a flydubai flight headed to Israel, as told to The Jerusalem Post. Tal, who sat in row six behind business class, noticed two additional pilots seated nearby when he boarded. During the confrontation, there were moments when no one was in the cockpit; one pilot was wounded, another involved in the fight, and the plane was descending.

Tal had to shake the incapacitated pilots to get them to move to the front and take control, as they were initially sitting among the passengers. After the attacker was subdued, Israeli passengers took the initiative to secure the aircraft by placing an Israeli beside each crew member, concerned that key points, especially the cockpit, needed Israeli presence.

The footage from inside the aircraft showed a series of improvised actions, including the dentist treating the wounded pilot and Tal watching events unfold while primarily focused on his role. Despite the chaos, no passenger heard the attacker utter "Allahu akbar," according to Tal. His account highlights the improvised security measures taken by the passengers to ensure the safety of the crew and the flight.