Flydubai Passenger Yaniv Hayun Tells Netanyahu How He Helped Stop Cockpit Attacker
An Israeli passenger aboard a Flydubai flight has described to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu how he helped subdue an alleged attacker and briefly took control of the aircraft during a dramatic mid-air emergency.
Yaniv Hayun was among passengers who intervened after a violent confrontation erupted inside the cockpit of Flydubai Flight FZ1073. The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when one pilot allegedly attacked another pilot.
Passenger Describes Entering the Cockpit
After the passengers returned to Israel on Wednesday, Hayun met Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport. He was still wearing a blood-stained shirt from the struggle.
According to Hayun, he and another passenger forced their way into the cockpit after the aircraft began descending sharply.
He said he saw the alleged attacker at the aircraft’s controls, while the pilots were no longer in their seats.
Hayun told Netanyahu that he grabbed the man, placed him in a chokehold and pulled him away from the controls. He then called other passengers to help restrain the suspect.
The passenger said the attacker appeared to be trying to damage the aircraft’s systems.
‘I Pulled the Controls’
Hayun then described another critical moment.
After removing the alleged attacker, he returned to the cockpit when he realized the aircraft was still tilting downward.
He said he grabbed the controls and pulled them backward in an attempt to stabilize the aircraft.
“I jumped back in there, grabbed the controls, started pulling the controls,” Hayun told Netanyahu, according to reports of their conversation.
Hayun said the aircraft began to level out before another pilot took over.
He also joked that his knowledge came partly from watching Mayday, the documentary series about aviation accidents.
Flight Makes Emergency Landing
The aircraft experienced a rapid descent before eventually making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The Associated Press reported that the aircraft descended from around 33,000 feet to about 17,000 feet in roughly a minute. The incident also caused damage to the aircraft’s rudder.
Other passengers also became involved in the effort to restrain the alleged attacker. Reports said several passengers worked together to prevent him from continuing the struggle.
Another passenger, Tzvika Manes, described hearing screams near the cockpit before moving toward the disturbance. He said passengers eventually used headphone cables to restrain the suspect.
Captain Injured in the Struggle
The captain was identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar. He suffered serious injuries during the confrontation and was taken to hospital after the emergency landing.
Reports said Machchhar was nevertheless able to resist the attacker and open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter.
Netanyahu later praised the captain and the passengers who intervened.
The suspect was arrested by Saudi authorities, while the circumstances and motive behind the incident remain under investigation. Officials have described the alleged actions as an apparent attempt to take control of the aircraft, but the investigation is ongoing.
Passengers Return to Israel
The flight was carrying about 174 passengers, including children. After landing in Tabuk, passengers remained in Saudi Arabia before being flown back to Israel on another Flydubai aircraft.
Hayun’s account has provided a detailed description of the moments when passengers entered the cockpit and attempted to prevent the aircraft from continuing its dangerous descent.
The incident remains under investigation, but the accounts from passengers and officials have highlighted the critical role played by those who intervened before another pilot was able to take control of the aircraft.
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