A passenger who helped prevent a crash on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has credited a TV series about aviation disasters for helping him know what to do in the cockpit. Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber by trade, overpowered the attacker and entered the cockpit, taking the controls and pulling back on the levers. The aircraft had plunged thousands of feet within minutes before being brought under control.
The TV series, "Mayday," also known as "Air Emergency" and "Air Crash Investigation," has been broadcast internationally since 2003. It examines well-known aviation disasters using audio recordings, eyewitness accounts, and interviews with experts. The series dramatizes accidents using actors and computer animation. Hayoun's actions, along with those of other passengers, helped avert a mid-air catastrophe.
After the suspected attacker was overpowered, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. A second, off-duty crew who happened to be traveling in the cabin took the controls. The stabbed captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, is in hospital in stable condition and has been hailed as a "true hero" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu met with Hayoun at Tel Aviv airport and recounted their conversation in an interview with US broadcaster CBS. Hayoun told Netanyahu that he is a plumber who unclogs sewage clogs. The Prime Minister's conversation with Hayoun was also shared with US President Donald Trump, who appeared impressed by the story.
The motive of the co-pilot, who is in custody, is unknown. Authorities have not said to what extent Hayoun was able to stabilize the aircraft before the second crew took over. An investigation into the incident has been launched by authorities in the United Arab Emirates.
The four passengers who helped stop the attacker will be honored by Israeli President. The incident highlights the importance of quick thinking and action in emergency situations. Hayoun's actions, influenced by the TV series, likely prevented a major disaster.
The incident occurred on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the emergency. The passengers and crew members involved in the incident are still being treated for their injuries and trauma. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the motive behind the attack.
Key points
- The passenger who helped save the Flydubai flight credited a TV series for helping him take controls of the aircraft.
- The TV series "Mayday" examines well-known aviation disasters and dramatizes accidents using actors and computer animation.
- The incident highlights the importance of quick thinking and action in emergency situations.
