No idea how I would react in that situation, but it seems completely logical. If I know I'm dying either way, I'm going down swinging to stop these fuckers from accomplishing their goal. That's not even a heroic sentiment. That's pure spite.

It's a different kind of hero to choose to go into a burning building, for example. You have safety, and you give it up to try to save others. With the hijacked plane scenario, you're screwed either way.