Fight, flight and the courage in between

On September 30, 2023, flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv suddenly plummeted 5,000 meters before safely landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The incident, though under investigation, showcased remarkable bravery from various individuals on board and those who responded. Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot, and despite bleeding heavily, he fought to regain control and open the cockpit door, allowing a few passengers to enter and overpower the attacker.

Passengers even used their knowledge of air-crash documentaries to pull up the plummeting plane, while reserve pilots landed it safely. A dentist-turned-emergency medic remained calm and kept the captain alive until medical help arrived. The act of courage among the 172 passengers varied, with some feeling intense fear while others merely acted out of instinct.

Experts like Aristotle highlight courage as a balance between fear and recklessness, emphasizing that courage is not about feeling no fear, but conquering it. Courage can be self-saving or altruistic, and while physical courage is often rewarded, moral courage can lead to ostracism. Not all courageous acts require specialized skills, as demonstrated by Abdul Aziz in Christchurch who used a credit card machine to stop a gunman.

The presence of others can amplify courage, as seen on Flight 1073 where the captain's bravery inspired others. Factors like diffusion of responsibility or repeated exposure to risk can suppress courage. Examples of true courage include Thai navy diver Saman Kunan, Beirut firefighters, and Sudanese doctors who remained steadfast despite dangerous conditions.