# Blood at 35,000 feet: possible hijacking attempt on flight to Israel **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 30, 2026, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484 "2026-09-30T11:25:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/41 "2026-09-30T17:26:57Z")
There is reporting about the two pilot/passengers that although one is a British citizen, one is from Russia and one is from Ukraine. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/42 "2026-09-30T17:27:35Z")
Christ, don’t let them fly anything else together or we’ll just get round two… ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/43 "2026-09-30T17:35:02Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > It’s a reference to the movie Airplane, where passangers and crew (including both of the the pilots) who ate the fish got horribly sick and needed an emergency landing. Trivia……the plot of Airplane, as well as much of the non-comedic dialogue…..was lifted from an early Arthur Hailey novel, Runway Zero-Eight, which was later republished as Flight Into Danger. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/44 "2026-09-30T17:39:02Z")
Not quite, they lifted it from the movie _Zero Hour!_ (1957) which was based on the book in question I guess. They even bought the rights to the movie. Apparently, Scotty (James Doohan) was the original Stryker. From Wikipedia: > _Zero Hour!_ was an adaptation of Hailey’s original 1956 [Canadian Broadcasting Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Broadcasting_Corporation "Canadian Broadcasting Corporation") [teleplay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleplay "Teleplay") _[Flight into Danger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_into_Danger "Flight into Danger"),_ starring [James Doohan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Doohan "James Doohan") as George Spencer, the original name for the Stryker character.[[4]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_Hour!#cite_note-4) Hailey also co-wrote a novel with John Castle based on the same plot titled _Flight Into Danger: Runway Zero-Eight_ (1958), although this is based more closely on the television version than on the film. Famously, Zucker, Abrahams & Zucker bought the rights to Zero Hour! for $2500. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/45 "2026-09-30T17:45:29Z")
Thanks for the clarifications….i mostly remember seeing the movie and recognizing the story and dialogue from the Hailey novel. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/46 "2026-09-30T17:46:50Z")
It has been mentioned on this board probably over a hundred times and also I saw an interview about it on TCM who did a double feature of Zero Hour! & Airplane! ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/47 "2026-09-30T19:11:47Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > A first officer pulling a knife on the captain would be… on the far end of the spectrum for desired conflict resolution techniques. LOL! > [@hajario](#): > > There is reporting about the two pilot/passengers that although one is a British citizen, one is from Russia and one is from Ukraine. > [@Filbert](#): > > Christ, don’t let them fly anything else together or we’ll just get round two… ROTFL!! One of the things I love about this board is the delightfully twisted senses of humor. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/48 "2026-09-30T19:21:39Z")
What was this guy’s end game? Once he arrived in Israel per his plan, wouldn’t he just be in prison for an ultra long time? Edit: Nvm, I may have mis-read things. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/49 "2026-09-30T19:49:38Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Why send two planes? One plane with passengers got hijacked. One plane to take the passengers to Israel and one to take the crew back to Dubai. I haven’t found a good cite for this yet. The crew heading to Israel had to be vetted by Israel before flying. This gives a backup if Israel rejects any of the crew. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/50 "2026-09-30T19:52:36Z")
A Bad day at the office for the Indian pilot. He had to fight for his life and the passengers lives. > **[Flydubai flight drama: How Indian pilot Smit Machchhar stopped Omani co-pilot...](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/flydubai-flight-drama-how-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-stopped-omani-co-pilot-from-crashing-plane/articleshow/134597514.cms)** > > An Indian pilot has been identified as the captain who helped prevent a flydubai passenger plane from crashing after his co-pilot allegedly tried to take control of the aircraft during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to Israeli media... ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/51 "2026-09-30T20:06:33Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > What was this guy’s end game? Crashing into either the ground or a building? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/52 "2026-09-30T20:16:18Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > A Bad day at the office for the Indian pilot. > He had to fight for his life and the passengers lives. Absolute hero. He should get a medal. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/53 "2026-09-30T20:46:37Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > This was an inside job. I know this is NOT what you meant, but there’s a bunch of people on Twitter muttering darkly about an inside job, as in a plot masterminded by the Israelis, i.e. Mossad. You see, they find it unbelievable that pilots were on board as passengers and that another passenger would be capable of rendering first aid. There are so many candidates for the Alex Jones False Flag Award this year. ---
**Author:** ![Eric1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3bc359/32.png) [@Eric1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eric1)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/54 "2026-09-30T21:11:47Z")
Yes, Smit Machchhar is worth applauding. I’m sharing his name with my nephews and humbly making an effort to spell his name correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/55 "2026-09-30T21:21:14Z")
On the one hand, you can’t have security so tight that it keeps the co-pilot out of the cockpit or away from the controls. On the other hand, though, they could perhaps have caught that the co-pilot had a knife. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/56 "2026-09-30T21:21:38Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > You see, they find it unbelievable that pilots were on board as passengers and that another passenger would be capable of rendering first aid. Maybe someone should take up a collection to get them some fresh tinfoil? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/57 "2026-09-30T22:00:05Z")
Just to clarify for everyone … @Mark_Finn had asked if this could have happened on El Al. And he asserted El Al has “tons of security.” My point was **only** that the attack came from somebody who worked for flyDubai. And was therefore an insider _from the POV of flyDubai_. Therefore “tons of security” that was aimed at preventing passengers or other intruders from interfering w the flight crew would have been of no use, since that wasn’t where the threat came from. That was my only point. As you say, the botnets of the usual suspects are fomenting anger and confusion everywhere. The idea this was an Israeli false flag is so obviously attractive to the anti-Israel specifically and antiSemite generically brigades that of course they are pushing that line of psyops attack on the entire West. Not me though. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > You see, they find it unbelievable that pilots were on board as passengers and that another passenger would be capable of rendering first aid. Morons. Which I know you know. There’s nearly always a pilot or two riding in the back. Sometimes from our carrier, sometimes from somebody else. There’s also nearly always a doctor, an RN, or an EMT / paramedic type on board. Those occupations are just that common. At least in the USA. Also typically some military veterans aboard. Many of whom have at least some first aid training and experience beyond “put a bandaid on it”. Maybe they’re old, but they’re still back there. The simple statistics of 150 people mostly selected from the ranks of folks with enough free cashflow to afford airfare assures there’ll be some of those. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/58 "2026-09-30T22:16:29Z")
Obviously you have orders of magnitude more experience but I used to travel extensively internationally and within the US. I was on more than a few flights where they asked over the speakers if there was a medical professional on board and there were always several. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/59 "2026-09-30T22:40:57Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I was on more than a few flights where they asked over the speakers if there was a medical professional on board and there were always several. Same. Doctors are really common among “people with the spare cash to fly regularly”. I’d be shocked if there are many large flights that don’t have several doctors among the passengers. And i often notice extra pilots. The nature of the industry requires pilots to be flown around a lot, and so pilots are highly overrepresented among “passengers”. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484/60 "2026-09-30T22:46:30Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > And i often notice extra pilots. The nature of the industry requires pilots to be flown around a lot, and so pilots are highly overrepresented among “passengers”. Plus, they like to take vacations and visit family and so on, just like the rest of us, and being able to tag along on flights is one of their job perks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blood-at-35-000-feet-possible-hijacking-attempt-on-flight-to-israel/1033484.md?page=4)