DL Opinion columns

Miracles in a midair Middle East disaster – by Deborah Levine

originally published in The Chattanooga Times Free Press

Our daughter living in Israel called and asked if we’d heard about the Flydubai incident. We had heard, but with little detail. So we asked about what was being said in Israel. She shared what her neighbor Bruria Efune had written: “Some crazy miracles happened on that Flydubai flight yesterday morning, and the more I read and try to understand, the more incredible it seems.” 

Here’s one of the miracles that Bruria described: “Nobody got seriously hurt when the plane made a sudden nosedive descent, not even those standing in-line for the bathroom.” Can you imagine what it must have been like when the plane dropped more than 16,000 feet in just 35 seconds?  It was another miracle that the plane recovered from the dive without breaking apart or losing flight capability.

I’m astounded that the pilot was able to unlock the cockpit door before collapsing from his stab wounds. And I’m amazed that despite the sharp decline, passengers made it to the cockpit and pushed the door open even as the wounded captain lay against it. They restrained the co-pilot with nothing but airplane headphone wires, stopping him before he managed to completely sabotage the airplane’s systems. 

Bruria highlighted these miraculous efforts: “Seconds later would have been too late…the plane landed safely, even with the rudder torn out, and likely with damaged, leaking hydraulic systems.”

The passengers who saved lives seemed divinely inspired. Luck wouldn’t have accounted for their success. One hero revised the plane’s descent from something he’d learned from watching Air Craft Investigation. And there may have been more life-saving interventions that we’ve yet to hear about. As Bruria pointed out, “The plane made two sharp descents and reverses. Who stopped each one?” 

Than there’s the dentist who managed to save the life of the critically-injured pilot. And there just happened to be a second Flydubai flight crew, with two pilots, on the plane. As the editor of The Times of Israel noted, “never before had passengers thwarted a pilot’s attempt to crash a commercial airliner.”

We don’t yet why this Omani national was a co-pilot having been previously suspended by Oman Air as a security risk in possession of extremist materials. Some folks online are suggesting that the co-pilot was aiming to crash into a nearby Jordanian facility hosting a US Air Base that’s been targeted by the Iranian regime in the past.

Regardless of the motive’s specifics, we do know that a great miracle happened here. The heroism of those who saved so many lives will never be forgotten, or even dimmed by whatever comes to light in upcoming investigations. 

For now, Israeli El Al planes will operate special rescue flights from Dubai to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, bringing home stranded Israeli nationals. Given the hijacking of this plane, Flydubai temporarily suspended flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv. Probably a smart move. 

I can’t imagine wanting to get on one of these Flydubai flight now, or perhaps ever. Miracles are wondrous, but cannot, and should not, be depended upon for duplicate performances. Our daughter may definitely hesitate to get on a plane at the Ben Gurion Airport, come visit us, and return to Tel Aviv. Can’t blame her! 

This miracle demands investigating and intervention for the future. As Israel’s Netanyahu said: “He came to crash the plane with all passengers on board…We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price.” 

For good reason, hesitation may apply to flights far beyond the Dubai to Tel Aviv destination.  We must spend time, money, and expertise to ensure future safety!

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