{
  "id": 11271375,
  "title": "'The cockpit was empty': Israeli recounts fight to survive flydubai attempted hijacking - exclusive",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/the-cockpit-was-empty-israeli-recounts-fight-to-survive-flydubai",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T20:24:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-910376"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tal recounted the harrowing experience of an attempted hijacking on flydubai flight to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. During the confrontation, the cockpit was empty as the two additional pilots who could take control were still in the passenger cabin. Tal, an Israeli businessman, had to motivate them to move to the front and assume control of the plane as it descended. While others fought the attacker at the front, Tal's role was to get the pilots forward and secure the aircraft.\n\nThe struggle between the passengers and the hijacker unfolded simultaneously, with the dentist treating the wounded pilot and Tal binding the man as they fought. The incident also highlighted the importance of having Israeli passengers in key positions during emergencies. The passengers successfully subdued the attacker, and the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Flydubai confirmed that all passengers were accounted for and unharmed. Tal's account of the event provides a unique eyewitness perspective on the harrowing ordeal.",
  "summary": "At a beachfront hotel in Tel Aviv, Tal reconstructs the moment he had to get two additional pilots to the controls, the efforts to secure the aircraft and the moment he thought about his children.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}