Flydubai passengers feared hijack would divert flight to Iran or Yemen

Passengers on flydubai flight 1073 feared being flown to Iran or Yemen after the co-pilot attacked the pilot with an axe, before being overpowered by the pilot and Israeli passengers, according to The Jerusalem Post. The Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked pilot Smit Machchhar and attempted to crash the plane carrying 182 people, but was subdued seconds before it hit the Arabian desert. Passengers, including Uri Pintov and his family, said they did not trust the crew or rescue pilots until landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities welcomed and cared for the Israeli passengers after landing. The Pintovs criticized Israel's Transportation Ministry for failing to vet the rescue flight's crew, and said they will not fly flydubai again, though they plan to travel in December.