Ok, this is not the column I’ve been planning to write. But sometimes something so amazing happens, you’ve just got to write. I worked today and I asked a couple of co-workers what they knew about the attempted terrorist hijacking of the flyDubai airplane. Nothing. So I told them what I knew and both were just flabbergasted. So I’ll share, and then I’ll tell you why I’m sharing some of this.
Yesterday, September 30th about 0115 or so in the morning I started seeing messages coming across my phone. Israel is 8 hours ahead. I’ll give you a synopsis of the messages as they were coming across.
First came the messages that a FlyDubair flight had activated a distress code 7700, illegal interference with the flight. No contact was able to be established with the flight. Then another signal was sent, 7500, a hijacking. The code was later switched back to 7700. The flight was to have been landing at Ben-Gurion in Tel Aviv. Israeli Air Force jets were scrambled. The plane was heading for Israel, but still in Saudi air space. The plane would not be allowed to land until it was understood what was happening. The code of 7500 was what prompted the Israeli military jets response. Initial estimate over 100 Israelis on board. I believe their were actually about 174, including women and children. I believe the total of people on board was around 180.
Then the flight no longer appeared on Flight Radar, and the reappeared. The Prime Minister and Defense Minster were meeting.
The co-pilot is an Omani. As there is no relationship between Oman and Israel, he would not have been allowed as flight crew to Israel, and certainly not to fly Jews. So I believe I’ve heard he had dual citizenship, possibly also Emirati, as FlyDubai is a United Arab Emirates airline. There has been a fairly warm relationship with Israel since the Abraham Accords. The Pilot, Smit Machchhar, is Indian. He is one of the heroes of our story.
At some point the Omani co-pilot attacked Captain Machchhar with either a knife or a small ax. I’ve heard each of those weapons mentioned. The plane dropped from 34,000 feet by 14,300 feet in 33 seconds reaching speeds of 1,107 km/hr. This far exceeds standard operational limits. The extreme forces caused structural damage to the vertical stabilizer. In photos it appears part is missing. To me anyway.
The Israeli passengers began reciting Shema Yisrael, and the G-d of Israel that neither slumbers nor sleeps heard. As the plane plunged towards the earth a most miraculous set of events began to take place.
Nina looks to be about 7 years old in the picture I’ve seen. She had to go to the bathroom. Hey, it happens. After Nina goes to the bathroom, she hears the screams from the cockpit as the Omani Muslim attacks the Emirati Captain Machchhar. She runs to wake up her Mom. Her Mom is sleeping, Nina is determined and wakes her Mom and tells her to go check the cockpit. Mom does and starts shouting “He’s being stabbed”! This is the critical first step.
Captain Machchhar despite being stabbed repeatedly has continued to try to fight the Omani Muslim. In addition to that, he had the presence of mind to unlock the cockpit door and apparently the co-pilot didn’t notice that. But at some point the Captain just can’t fight any longer.
Next comes Yaniv Hayun, the plumber who proves not all heroes wear capes. Some wear socks. Yaniv is a hero in socks. The pilot had collapsed against the door. Yaniv and I believe at least one other Israeli managed to breech the cockpit. Yaniv saw there was no one in either seat, not the pilot’s or the co-pilot’s. He saw the Omani Muslim co-pilot up over the control panel trying to destroy the controls to the plane so nothing could be done to stop his plan. Yaniv put him in a chokehold and drug him away from the controls. He then grabbed the controls and began to pull back, pulling the plane up out of it’s nosedive. He then got the plane leveled off. Yaniv said it’s a good thing he watches “Air Crash Investigations”. Um, well, yes.
After Yaniv has choked out the Omani Muslim co-pilot, and I haven’t heard a name released yet, another passenger picks up his part in the miracle. Assaf Rajuan is a businessman, turned enforcer. After Yaniv did his thing, Assaf helped overpower the Omani Muslim and kept him subdued for 50 minutes. I’m guessing that would be a cardio workout unlike any other.
Assisting Assaf, was Zvika Manes who is a banker. Zvika took stock of the assets at their disposal and came up with a golden idea. He used the cords off the airlines entertainment centers headphones to tie up the Omani Muslim like a calf for branding. And they kept him that way.
But this left the severely injured Captain Smit Machchhar bleeding. An Israeli dentist is a wonderful friend to have around. Luckily for Captain Machchhar there was one aboard the flight. Dr. Shota Musaev. Dr. Shota managed to stabilize the wounded pilot and the Saudi doctors said were it not for his intervention that the pilot wouldn’t have lived. One report said the Omani Muslim co-pilot used a crash ax.
There were at least one or two pilots on the plane. I’ve heard British, I’ve heard South Africa or New Zealand, but mostly I’ve heard British. I’ve heard they were on board to take over flying after this flight was completed, I’ve heard the British pilot was onboard for training. Either way, there was a British pilot on board and once the Israelis had everything secure, he came in and took over flying. I’ve also heard the Israelis appointed two people to guard each flight attendant as they were concerned the Omani Muslim co-pilot might have had allies on the flight.
After it became apparent the Omani Muslim co-pilot would not succeed in his nefarious plan, he begged the Israelis to kill him. They didn’t.
If you would like to send get well wishes and prayers to Captain Smit Machchar this is the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia X account. https://x.com/IndianEmbRiyadh/status/2105371177095225350
I have a photo of the 4 of them.
I’ve seen video on the plane of the Israelis singing Am Yisrael Chai, The Jewish People Live. I’ve also heard another song, I’m sure being sung and I recognized a line from it. Veafilu Behastara, English subtitles. I dearly love this song!
Israel asked Saudi Arabia to send planes to get their people, Saudi said nopity, nope nope. FlyDubai would send another plane…Mossad said, um, hold on their slick…you give us a crew manifest and we’ll get back to you on that one. Really, that’s exactly what they said. I’m sure of it. Mossad read over the list and said it was acceptable.
Prime Minister Netanyahu met them at the airport when they landed. This is an interview with Bibi and Yaniv. English subtitles.
This brings up and interesting side story. There has been a conflict between the director of Shin Bet, David Zini and Israel’s airlines over a ban Shin Bet had imposed on flights to the UAE because Shin Bet considered security measures at the UAE airports not up to snuff. Shin Bet is responsible for the security of the flights in and out of Israel. It is likely had the UAE used Israeli security protocols this wouldn’t have happened.
I believe the general consensus is that the Omani Muslim co-pilot intended to create another 9/11 style attack.
This is a pretty big incident, no? So how was it reported in the media? This is why I felt this column necessary. Well, Nate Friedman pretty early on picked up how the NY Slimes and the BBC were covering it.
The Slimes: A plane flying from Dubai to Israel was diverted after an altercation between the pilot and the co-pilot.
The BBC: Israel bound flight diverted after fight between pilots.
SkyNews: Flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv lands safely after brawl between pilots.
The Wall Street Journal: Israel bound flight makes and emergency landing after an apparent struggle in the cockpit that left both pilots injured.
Seriously?? However much you hate and distrust the media? Yeah, it’s not enough.
Luckily we have the Babylon Bee to help them out.
Here’s How ‘The New York Times’ Reported 9 Historic Attacks
It covers such other tiffs as 9/11, the Alamo, Custer’s Last Stand, The Attack on Pearl Harbor and similar.
But despite the lies of the U.N., the IRGC loving Demoncrats, the Spanish PM (but hey, he hates his own people too, so) Ireland, and The British politicians, who really really should be more grateful right about now, normal sane humans are noticing how amazing, brave and resourceful the Israelis are. The respect in this short Instagram post is evident and well worth the couple of minutes. If you click on the little speaker icon in the lower right corner you get the sound. Interestingly, the content creators is Venezuelan! Boy the place is changing with Maduro gone.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Dd7W9tEuzVV/?stkn=MTJmMnR5cmNrNjlx
Hillel Fuld, Ari Fuld’s HY”D brother pointed this out and I found it interesting as well.
This week is three years since Simchas Torah, the holiday on which 10/7 happened.
Three years since 7/10. …Want to guess what yesterday’s flight number was?
FZ1073.
I agree with him, G-d has a sense of humor.
So, not the column I planned to write, but the one I had to write.
Enjoy the last few days of Sukkot, once again HaShem protected the children as they traveled over the desert.
