Yaniv Hayun says he learned to pull a stricken airliner out of a dive by watching television.
The Israeli passenger, who helped tackle an alleged knife-wielding co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he credited the documentary series “Air Crash Investigation” with teaching him how to steady the aircraft. Hayun was among a small group of travelers who rushed the cockpit after Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot, opened the door while bleeding from stab wounds.
Hayun met with Netanyahu to recount the mid-air struggle. He told the prime minister that he and another man entered the cockpit to find one pilot down and another at the instruments. The co-pilot, who has not been identified, was allegedly trying to destroy the controls in an effort to disable the plane.
“I grabbed the attacker,” Hayun said, according to the meeting. He put the man in a chokehold, dragged him out of the cockpit, and called for two other men to hold him down.
Hayun then returned to the cockpit himself. “Pulled the controls,” he told Netanyahu.
“You pulled the controls?” the prime minister asked, stunned.
“I watch Air Crash Investigation, Mr Prime Minister,” Hayun explained. He added: “And the plane started to level out, a bit more, and then the pilot told me he was taking control from there.”
The flight had departed the United Arab Emirates bound for Tel Aviv carrying 174 people. Passengers and crew were left horrified when the aircraft suddenly dropped, unaware that Machchhar had allegedly been stabbed by his co-pilot at altitude. The attacker then allegedly seized the controls and attempted to crash the commercial aircraft.
Machchhar, an Indian national, fought off the assailant and opened the cockpit door despite his injuries, enabling the intervention. Netanyahu hailed the pilot in a statement, saying: “My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery. Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster. He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero.”
Deputy Minister Almog Cohen also praised Machchhar, writing: “The State of Israel’s hero of the day is the Indian pilot, Capt. Smit Machchhar, whose remarkable resourcefulness enabled him to unlock the cockpit door and allow the Israeli lions to sink their teeth into the cowardly hyena who nearly killed 200 innocent people! Captain Machchhar, the State of Israel owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude. When the next Knesset convenes, I will submit a bill to name a lounge at Ben Gurion Airport in your honor!”
The Indian Embassy confirmed Machchhar was in stable condition after the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, northwest Saudi Arabia. A post on X stated: “Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today. He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary medical attention. A full update on his health is awaited but he is reported to be in stable condition. We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest. We are in touch with his family and assure them that we will continue to follow up on his health with Saudi authorities and extend all possible assistance for his wellbeing.”
The alleged attacker has been arrested.