Israeli Passenger Thwarts Hijacking Attempt on Flydubai Flight

Yaniv Hayon, an Israeli passenger, recounted his actions to prevent a hijacking attempt on Flydubai flight FZ 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. Hayon described how the first pilot, despite sustaining severe injuries, managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene. Hayon, who had watched aviation documentaries, entered the cockpit with another pilot and subdued the hijacker, identified as the second pilot, using a wrestling hold. He then called for assistance from other Israeli passengers, and together they restrained the hijacker. Hayon returned to the controls and pulled the aircraft's yokes towards him, stabilizing the plane as it rapidly lost altitude. Another pilot who had entered the cockpit then took over control.

Following the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, Hayon met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben-Gurion Airport. Netanyahu had previously stated he spoke with an Israeli passenger who helped neutralize a knife-wielding pilot attempting to damage the aircraft's systems. Hayon, apologizing for his blood-stained shirt, which he said was the hijacker's blood, told Netanyahu, "I did everything I could." The Prime Minister praised him as a hero. Hayon also noted that part of the aircraft's tail was missing upon landing, but expressed relief that the hijacker's actions did not cause more severe damage.

Other passengers corroborated Hayon's heroism. Elad Shalom described the terrifying moments of the plane falling and praised Hayon's quick thinking. Tzvika Mans, CEO of Barak Leumi, confirmed he was one of the three passengers who entered the cockpit and helped tie up the hijacker using headphone wires. Dr. Shota Musaev, the only doctor on board, treated the severely injured first pilot, Sumit Matchkar, an Indian national with 15 years of aviation experience. Musaev managed to stop the bleeding, and the pilot's condition remained stable until the landing in Saudi Arabia. Musaev emphasized that their collective action likely prevented a catastrophe.