Trump Discusses Flydubai Incident with Netanyahu, Calls Passenger's Actions 'Craziest Thing'

Former US President Donald Trump has commented on the recent Flydubai incident, stating he discussed the event at length with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump recounted that Netanyahu told him the co-pilot may have been a terrorist or insane, and that he stabbed the pilot. According to Trump, an Israeli passenger, described as a plumber who had never flown a plane, intervened after hearing screams. This passenger allegedly pulled the assailant from his seat, took control of the aircraft's yoke, and stabilized the plane. Trump expressed disbelief, calling the account "the craziest thing there is," and noted that the motive of the co-pilot remains unclear.

Trump also reacted to the passenger's explanation for his actions: Yaniv Hayoun, who helped subdue the attacker, told Netanyahu he learned how to handle aviation emergencies from watching the National Geographic series "Air Crash Investigation." Trump found this astonishing, remarking that while he avoids watching the show because "bad things happen" when he does, Hayoun claimed to have learned how to fly a plane from it. Trump added that after the passenger's intervention, other crew members and security personnel, who were in the rear of the plane, came forward and regained control.

Hayoun, one of the passengers who subdued the attacker on the Flydubai flight, recounted to Netanyahu that he grabbed the assailant in a chokehold and pulled him out, preventing him from damaging instruments. He then called for other Israelis to help restrain the attacker. When Netanyahu asked how Hayoun knew to take control of the yoke, Hayoun replied that he watched "Air Crash Investigation."

The "Air Crash Investigation" series is a Canadian docudrama that reconstructs and analyzes real aviation accidents and safety incidents, exploring the causes and contributing factors. The passengers from the Flydubai flight returned safely to Ben Gurion Airport, where they were met by supporters with Israeli flags after their ordeal.