Prominent Australian couple Steven and Carol Moss — previously known for selling Sydney's most expensive residential property — were among the more than 170 passengers caught up in a terrifying suspected hijacking attempt aboard a FlyDubai Boeing 737 Max 8 flight bound for Tel Aviv, it has been confirmed. The incident unfolded approximately two hours into flight FZ1073 from Dubai on Wednesday, when the aircraft plunged more than 4,000 metres in less than 30 seconds after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain.
Who Are Steven and Carol Moss?
The Mosses, who built their fortune through the Katies fashion empire, are well known in Australian property circles for selling their Scottish baronial mansion, Uig Lodge, at Point Piper in Sydney for a record $130 million — making it the most expensive residential property sale in the country's history. The couple declined to comment as they recover from the ordeal. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was "relieved to confirm" that at least two Australians on the flight were safe, adding: "Thanks to the heroes who thwarted the attack and helped bring the passengers to safety. We're thinking of those injured and hope for their full recovery."
How Passengers and Crew Foiled the FlyDubai Attack
Screams filled the cabin when the captain, Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, was stabbed by his co-pilot in what Israeli officials described as an attempt to deliberately crash the aircraft. Despite being seriously injured and covered in blood, Machchhar managed to activate the cockpit door release, alerting passengers and crew to the unfolding emergency.
Passengers and crew then rushed the cockpit to overpower the co-pilot. One passenger, Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber, said he placed the co-pilot in a chokehold and dragged him out of the cockpit before returning to grab the controls himself. Hayoun credited the television docuseries Air Crash Investigation with giving him the knowledge needed to pull the plane out of its nosedive.
"We pinned him down. I jumped back, grabbed the controls, and started pulling back the handles," Hayoun said, recounting the moment to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "The plane started to level out a bit and then the pilot told me he was taking over the controls from there."
Two off-duty pilots who were travelling as passengers were ultimately able to assist in bringing the aircraft to an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. After landing, it was discovered the plane's rudder had been destroyed during the incident. For more detail on the broader incident, see our earlier coverage of the FlyDubai co-pilot attack and crash attempt.
Heroes Praised by World Leaders
Netanyahu hailed Hayoun as a "great hero" and described the overall event as "a highly severe security incident", pledging to get to the root of what occurred. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Machchhar, saying: "In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy." Netanyahu also credited Machchhar with saving the lives of all 174 people on board, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. Machchhar remains hospitalised but is reported to be in a stable condition.
Cause Remains Under Investigation
The precise reason for the alleged attack by the co-pilot remains unknown. FlyDubai said the underlying causes of the incident had not yet been determined and cautioned against "premature speculation". Authorities have not yet confirmed what motivated the co-pilot's actions, and an investigation is understood to be ongoing.
