Heroic Passengers Prevent Plane Disaster

Updated on: October 4, 2026 / 9:57 AM EDT / CBS News

Last Wednesday, four strangers on a plane became like family by Friday. Passengers Daniel Schlichter, Zvika Manes, Tal Samuel, and Asaf Rajuan reunited for the first time after the terrifying moments on FlyDubai’s Flight 1073. Schlichter described the trauma, saying that minute felt like the longest of his life. As the Boeing 737 Max nosedived at the brink of disaster, he clutched his wife’s hand, pondering life’s importance.

The co-pilot, from Oman, had attacked the captain and seized control, attempting to crash the plane filled with Israeli passengers. The aircraft plummeted 14,000 feet in seconds, drawing comparisons to a roller coaster. Meanwhile, Captain Smit Machchhar fought for survival in the cockpit, later recounting his struggle to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The co-pilot’s unexpected attack left Machchhar fighting for his life.

Manes and his family sat in the front row when his wife took their daughter to the bathroom. His daughter’s alarming cries, ‘He’s stabbing the pilot,’ spurred immediate action. Rajuan and the others realized they faced possible death. Schlichter held his wife’s hand tightly, prepared to face the end together. Motivated by survival, Manes felt an instinctive drive to protect his family.

Samuel noted how the passengers transformed from everyday people into defenders. Alongside an Israeli plumber named Yaniv Hayoun, they moved to support the bleeding captain, calling him a hero for battling the hijacker. The co-pilot, Hamam al Hamami, had been banned from flying in Oman due to extremist beliefs. Investigations revealed his disturbing intentions. UAE authorities deemed this a ‘terrorist act.’

Amidst the chaos at the cockpit door, Samuel noticed the cockpit was vacant. Remembering two off-duty pilots nearby, he watched them act quickly. Together, they wrestled control of the plane, pulling it out of its perilous dive. Meanwhile, the captain needed urgent care.

Manes urgently sought medical help. Dentist Shota Musaev responded, bravely attending to the captain’s trauma. Musaev recognized the critical nature of the injuries, urging the crew to expedite landing.

The nearest landing spot was in Saudi Arabia, a nation without diplomatic ties to Israel. Concerns about potential arrest were unfounded; they were instead met with assistance. The captain received hospital care, while Dr. Musaev stayed by his side, forming a bond in survival. In Hebrew, Musaev acknowledged the mutual heroism of the captain and passengers, stating that their collective actions were life-saving.