Trump Details Dramatic Mid-Air Incident Aboard Flydubai Flight to Israel
US President Donald Trump recounted details of an attempted attack aboard a flydubai flight to Israel, praising an Israeli passenger who intervened to help stabilize the aircraft after the co-pilot attacked the captain.
United States President Donald Trump shared his account of the dramatic incident aboard a flydubai flight to Israel during a press conference in the Oval Office. Speaking to reporters, Trump said he spoke at length with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the attempted attack, recounting how an Israeli plumber who had never flown a plane helped prevent a crash.
According to Trump, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain, leaving the pilot in critical condition. Despite his severe injuries, the pilot managed to open the reinforced cockpit door and cry out for help. At that moment, an Israeli passenger—identified as Yaniv Hayun—stepped in.
"A plumber, an Israeli plumber who never flew a plane, saw what was happening," Trump said. The president described how the passenger pulled the co-pilot from the seat, grabbed the controls, and leveled the aircraft just before a potential crash. Trump noted that Hayun later attributed his knowledge of handling the aircraft to watching the television show Mayday (Air Crash Investigation).
The flydubai flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Israel with 174 passengers on board when the incident occurred. The Omani co-pilot attacked the Indian captain, causing the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly before passengers and crew intervened. The plane ultimately landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and passengers were later returned to Israel on a replacement flight. Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the passengers and crew who intervened, though authorities stated that the exact motive remains under investigation and certain details are still being verified.
