Brief
Psychologist says Flydubai hijacking attempt highlights rarity of in‑flight attacks
Robert Bor stresses that such incidents are extremely uncommon and urges perspective for anxious flyers.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Passengers on Flydubai flight FZ1073 feared for their lives after the co‑pilot stabbed the captain during a Dubai‑to‑Tel Aviv flight on Wednesday, prompting a rapid 14,000‑ft descent and an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, the Independent reported.
What happened
The aircraft dropped from cruising altitude to about 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds before emitting an emergency signal and altering its course over Jordan. Crew members and several passengers physically restrained the attacker on the floor, while an off‑duty British pilot on board assisted in bringing the plane safely to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that families of passengers described saying goodbye as the incident unfolded, and that social‑media users said their fear of flying has surged after seeing the event. The outlet also quotes aviation psychologist Professor Robert Bor, who says the episode is "everyone’s nightmare" but stresses that such events are "so incredibly rare we can list, name and number them on two hands in the history of modern aviation".
What was said
Professor Robert Bor, a clinical aviation and aerospace psychologist at the Centre for Aviation Psychology, told the Independent: "These [incidents] are so incredibly rare that we can list, name and number them on two hands in the history of modern aviation, and the outcome here was incredible as well." He added that the incident shows "not every situation on board an aircraft that we dread has an unhappy ending" and that passengers and crew should be reassured that "behind the scenes there are a huge number of things that go towards ensuring safety and security".
How it came about
The stabbing incident follows a string of recent reports on Flydubai security, including earlier Felo News coverage of the cockpit attack and discussions of pilot vetting and insider‑threat mitigation. Those pieces highlighted the rarity of such attacks and the steps airlines take to protect passengers, providing context for Bor’s assessment that the event, while dramatic, is an outlier in modern aviation safety.
Key facts
- Flydubai flight FZ1073 descended 14,000 ft in less than 30 seconds after a co‑pilot stabbed the captain. (independent.co.uk)
- Passengers and crew restrained the attacker, and an off‑duty British pilot helped land the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. (independent.co.uk)
- Aviation psychologist Robert Bor said such incidents are extremely rare, "we can list, name and number them on two hands". (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Expert explains how to beat flying anxieties after Flydubai hijacking”
