Flydubai Hero Recounts Hectic Moments of Cockpit Attack and Near-Crash
Yaniv Chayoun, an Israeli plumber and hero of a recent Flydubai flight, detailed how he helped subdue an attacker in the cockpit and momentarily took the controls to avert a crash.
Yaniv Chayoun, a plumber from Israel and one of the heroes of the recent Flydubai flight incident, recounted how his phone has not stopped ringing since he stepped in to prevent a catastrophic plane crash. Describing the harrowing moments inside the cockpit, Chayoun explained how he reacted when panic broke out mid-flight.
Inside the Cockpit
Recalling the moment the chaos began, Chayoun noted that he was seated in row 11 with his wife and daughters when the aircraft suddenly began to violently shudder and bank sharply. "I thought it was just a fight between passengers at first, but then I realized it was coming from the cockpit," he said. As he rushed forward, the plane entered a severe dive, pinning him and other passengers to the floor.
I tried to get up, but my whole body was being pulled down. There was no way to move. At some point, the plane partially leveled out, and I managed to get to the door. I moved the crew member aside and opened it.
Neutralizing the Threat
Inside the cockpit, an attacker was kneeling on the instrument panel between the pilots' seats, attempting to destroy the equipment while the Indian pilot lay slumped against the door. Chayoun immediately intervened, grabbing the assailant by the throat and subduing him with the help of other Israeli passengers who rushed to assist.
Amid the struggle, Chayoun briefly took the controls to pull the nose of the aircraft up as it hurtled toward the ground. "It was just for a few seconds," he recalled, before a relief pilot stepped in and took over. The attacker was subsequently restrained and rendered unconscious to secure the cockpit before the plane made an emergency landing.
