Israeli Plumber Hailed as Hero for Aiding in Emergency Landing of Flight 1073

Yaniv Hayun, a plumber from Israel, became an unlikely hero during a flydubai flight from Vietnam to Israel when a terrorist attack unfolded. On November 5, Hayun was traveling with his wife and three daughters on the flight when the emergency occurred. The Omani pilot, who later turned out to be a terrorist, had greeted passengers warmly before boarding, including families with young children.

Two-thirds into the flight, Hayun heard a noise from the front of the plane and a female passenger shouted that someone had been stabbed. The passenger had accompanied her young daughter to the toilet near the cockpit, where they heard a commotion. A pilot who wasn't flying at the time tried to open the cockpit door but was briefly unsuccessful. In that moment, the female passenger saw that the cockpit was covered in blood and the Indian pilot, Smit Machchhar, had been stabbed.

Upon hearing the cries for help, Hayun felt compelled to act. Despite not being a pilot or aviation professional, he owns a waste management company and previously served as a soldier and worked as a cook. A television programme about air crash investigations had provided him with some preparation. He ran to the cockpit, managed to get inside, and put the Omani pilot in a chokehold, forcing him out of the cockpit.

Hayun then attempted to stabilise the plane by pulling back the yoke. Two off-duty pilots, one of whom is South African, took over and executed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Upon landing, passengers cheered and an ambulance took Machchhar to hospital. Hayun ensured authorities were aware of the Omani pilot's actions and connected with Israeli authorities via a passenger's cellphone.

Hayun's actions were recognised by Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who assured him that an Israeli plane would be sent to retrieve the passengers. The plane eventually arrived, and upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, passengers clapped, cheered, and sang simcha songs. Hayun was invited to meet Netanyahu, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

Hayun received several accolades for his bravery, including the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, Israel's highest award for civilian bravery, and the Hineni Award from the Friends of Zion Museum. The Hineni Award recognises individuals who take responsibility when others need help. Rabbi Zulberg of the Base Community explained that the Hebrew expression "Hineni" is associated with biblical figures Abraham and Moses, who responded to God's call despite uncertainty.

Hayun's experience raised questions about individual heroism and collective responsibility. His actions, along with those of other passengers, demonstrated how a person's willingness to act can encourage others to do the same. The incident highlighted the importance of individual responsibility and collective action in times of crisis.

Key points

• Hayun's bravery and quick thinking helped save 174 lives during the emergency landing of Flight 1073.
• He received several awards for his heroism, including the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism and the Hineni Award.
• The incident highlighted the importance of individual responsibility and collective action in times of crisis.