Full Breakdown
Israeli Plumber Hailed as Hero After Stopping Flydubai Hijack Attempt
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, the co-pilot, an Omani national, stabbed the captain and sent the jet into a rapid descent of roughly 14,000 feet (4,267 m) in under 30 seconds. The aircraft, carrying about 180 passengers, was ultimately landed safely after two off-duty pilots took control in Saudi Arabia. Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun (also reported as Yaniv Hayoun) entered the cockpit, restrained the assailant, and helped stabilize the aircraft. He later recounted pulling the “terrorist” from the controls and assisting other passengers in holding the attacker back. Passengers reached Israel safely on October 3, 2026.
Official Reactions
U.S. President Donald Trump posted a TikTok video praising Hayun, saying he was “a fan of his” and calling the plumber “a hero.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Hayun at Ben Gurion Airport, where Hayun expressed gratitude toward Trump. Israeli officials indicated the co-pilot had posted extremist content online, suggesting a possible jihadist radicalization.
Data & Statistics
- Flight number: FZ1073
- Passengers: ~180, nearly all Israeli
- Descent: ~14,000 feet (4,267 m) in <30 seconds
- Crew: Two off-duty pilots who landed the plane in Saudi Arabia
Verbatim Quotes
- “I just want to thank and congratulate Yaniv Hayun,” — Donald Trump, said US president — Donald Trump, US President
- “You like me and I like you,” — Donald Trump, said US president — Donald Trump, US President
- “Tell Trump that I love him,” — Yaniv Hayoun — Yaniv Hayoun, passenger
- “When I went in, I saw the terrorist on the control,” — Yaniv Hayoun — Yaniv Hayoun, passenger
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The passenger’s surname appears as Hayun in the Times of Israel report and Hayoun in the New York Post coverage, reflecting inconsistent spelling across sources. Details of the co-pilot’s exact motive remain under investigation, with authorities probing possible online radicalization but no definitive conclusion reported.