Israelis tied hijacker with headphones, landed crippled plane

New details are emerging from this morning's (Wednesday) terror attack aboard a Fly Dubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to reports in Israel, the aircraft's rapid descent, plunging at 4,000 meters per minute, caused severe damage to the plane's tail section.

It has now been confirmed that one of the aircraft's steering wheels detached from its mounting due to the force of the dive, making the emergency landing even more difficult to execute.

The plane was allegedly landed by Israeli pilots who happened to be aboard the Dubai flight, whether by chance or otherwise.

The Israeli passengers who successfully subdued the terrorist acted with resourcefulness and courage while the aircraft's condition remained uncertain and while the Israeli pilots were executing the complex maneuver to bring the plane down.

According to the emerging reports, the Israelis who overpowered the attacker decided to restrain him using headphone cables after finding no other means to do so.

Fly Dubai aircraft (Photo: Yossi Aloni / Flash90)

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held an urgent security consultation with the heads of the security establishment following the incident. At the height of the drama, the IDF Chief of Staff, the Shin Bet director and the Mossad chief held an urgent telephone consultation to coordinate the intelligence and operational picture. The Prime Minister's Office stated that "following concerns of an aviation incident, Prime Minister Netanyahu held consultations on the matter and followed developments."

Aircraft wing damaged in emergency landing (Photo: social media)

According to passenger testimonies, panic broke out during the flight after the aircraft changed course and activated the code signaling a hijacking. Family members of passengers waiting at Ben Gurion experienced hours of tension and worry until it became clear that the plane had landed safely.

Following the incident, Transportation Minister Miri Regev appealed to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu demanding that Fly Dubai flights be halted immediately pending completion of an investigation into the incident. She also requested that flights by Israeli carriers, El Al, Israir and Arkia, be given priority, as they undergo Israeli security checks.

The Israel Airports Authority opened a waiting and information area for family members of passengers on the flight, in accordance with the Transportation Minister's directive. The area is operating in Terminal 1, in the domestic arrivals hall. Authority representatives are on site assisting families in receiving updates as developments unfold. The Authority requested that those who are not family members of passengers on the flight refrain from coming to the area.