Her Brother Fell on October 7. Then Her Flydubai Flight Began to Dive

Takeaways

• Miriam Ochayon was flying home for her brother’s memorial when violence erupted in the cockpit.
• Her brother Eviatar fell on October 7, 2023.
• She shouted the Shema and prayed through tears.
• Her love for her mother became her reason to hold on.
• Ordinary passengers acted, and more than 150 people landed safely.

Picture a sister in the first row of an economy cabin, flying home to Israel for a memorial service. Miriam Ochayon had spent 11 months traveling in the East, a trip she once planned with her brother Eviatar.

Then the screaming began. This is the story of the Miriam Ochayon Flydubai flight, and of a faith that stayed standing when the cabin shook.

A Brother Lost on October 7

On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists stormed southern Israel and murdered more than 1,200 people. Eviatar, a Golani soldier, was killed at the Kissufim military post.

His mother describes a son full of life, the eldest of six children. Miriam and Eviatar had planned to travel together, and after he fell she went on in his memory.

By the time she boarded Flydubai flight FZ1073, she was heading home to honor him at his memorial service.

Terror in the Cockpit

Near the end of the flight, passengers heard screaming from the cockpit. When the door opened, they saw large amounts of blood, and Miriam said the pilot had been stabbed.

The plane then lost control. For several minutes, perhaps ten or fifteen, she believed nobody would survive.

Israeli passengers rushed forward and subdued the attacker. A doctor on board treated the pilot, and other pilots on board took control of the aircraft. 

The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia with more than 150 people aboard.

“I Can’t Do This to My Mom”

In the worst moments, Miriam thought of her mother, Yasmin, who was waiting at Ben Gurion Airport. She told herself she could not die, because her mother was waiting for her.

She also said, “I can’t do this to my mom.” She is her mother’s only daughter, and the family had already lost a son.

When Miriam phoned afterward, she told Yasmin the plane had almost crashed. Yasmin felt goosebumps and called the outcome a miracle.

“There Is None Besides You”

In footage Miriam filmed during the emergency, she weeps and recites Psalms, called Tehillim in Hebrew. She cries out to God, “there is none besides You,” and declares again and again that God is one.

She also cried Shema Yisrael, the central Jewish declaration of faith: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). Jewish parents teach it to their children at bedtime.

With the plane out of her hands, Miriam placed her life in God’s hands. When it was announced that her flight was now in the hands of a new pilot and that they would be landing in Saudi Arabia, she said the Psalm of Thanksgiving, Mizmor L’Todah.

Later, upon reflection, she says, “The feeling when you’re a step away from death, is the scariest thing, but the most powerful thing. Your life is a gift…I’m so grateful. I’m so grateful I’m alive.”

Basic Lessons from Jewish Tradition

Her prayers echo five simple teachings.

1. God is one. The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) is recited morning and evening.
2. Psalms are for everyone. Tehillim gives ordinary people words for fear and trust.
3. Tears belong in prayer. Hannah wept as she prayed at Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:10).
4. Life is a gift. Miriam said she feels she got her life back and now sees how precious each day is. Jewish tradition starts every morning with Modeh Ani, a short prayer thanking God for returning the soul. 
5. Honor your mother and father (Exodus 20:12). Miriam’s will to live was tied to her love for her mother.

Held by the Hand of God

Later, standing near her brother’s grave, Miriam said she believed the hand of God had taken hold of the plane. She called the brave passengers, a doctor, and pilots His messengers. 

She still mourns Eviatar, and she thanks God for her own life in the same breath. Grief and gratitude stand side by side in her.

Her mother waited at Ben Gurion hoping for her daughter’s return, and called what happened an absolute miracle.