Israeli Passenger Recounts Foiling Cockpit Attack on Flydubai Flight

Israeli passenger Yaniv Khayon met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday evening to describe the dramatic events aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073. Khayon recounted how he subdued an assailant in the cockpit, stating, "I grabbed the attacker, put him in a chokehold, and first pulled him out." He explained that the pilot had attempted to damage the aircraft's instruments to cause a crash.

Khayon described a powerful force pulling him down as the plane lost altitude. He was able to access the cockpit because the injured pilot had opened the door from the inside. After removing the attacker from the controls, Khayon instructed other passengers to restrain him on the floor and then pulled on the controls himself.

When asked by the Prime Minister how he knew what to do, Khayon replied, "I watch 'Air Crash Investigation,' Mr. Prime Minister." He managed to stabilize the aircraft, allowing the injured pilot to regain control. "The plane began to balance out a bit more, and then the pilot told me he was taking control from here," Khayon concluded.

The passengers of flight FZ1073 landed in Israel on a replacement flight provided by the airline. Upon their arrival, Ben Gurion Airport control tower welcomed them, saying, "Good evening, Sky Dubai 1073, Ben Gurion Tower. Welcome to Israel, thank you for bringing our passengers safely home."