Passenger Credits TV Show for Aiding in Flydubai Plane Stabilization

Details have emerged about a dramatic incident on a Flydubai flight where an Omani pilot allegedly attempted to crash the plane. Passengers reportedly broke into the cockpit, and one, Yaniv Hayun, took control of the aircraft to stabilize it.

Hayun recounted his actions to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that he knew how to handle the situation because he had watched the documentary series "Air Crash Investigation." When Netanyahu asked if he had "pulled" the controls, Hayun confirmed, "Yes, I watch 'Air Crash Investigation.'"

"Air Crash Investigation," also known internationally as "Mayday" or "Air Disasters," is a Canadian documentary series that began airing in 2003. Produced by Cineflix Productions, it focuses on real-life aviation disasters, using dramatic reenactments, interviews, and computer animation to explain how they occurred. The series is available in Israel on Disney+ and National Geographic.

The show analyzes accidents by examining cockpit recordings, accident reports, and witness testimonies. It investigates factors ranging from maintenance issues and dangerous cargo to extreme weather, aiming to prevent future incidents. The series also covers hijackings and incidents where planes landed safely despite severe problems, such as a New Zealand flight that landed without its landing gear deployed.

Notably, Flydubai itself was featured in a past episode of the series. The episode "Holding Pattern" (titled "תבנית ריתוק" in Israel) dealt with the crash of Flydubai Flight 981 in Rostov, Russia, in March 2016.