Trump Recounts Dramatic Flydubai Hijacking Attempt, Cites Israeli Passenger

U.S. President Donald Trump shared his account of the dramatic incident aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Israel, stating he spoke "at length" with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the attempted hijacking. Trump described how, according to information he received, an Israeli plumber with no flying experience helped prevent the plane from crashing. Trump recounted that the co-pilot, possibly a terrorist or mentally unstable, allegedly stabbed the pilot. The pilot, despite his severe injuries, managed to open the cockpit door and call for help, an act Trump called "heroic."

According to Trump's narrative, an Israeli passenger, identified as Yaniv Khayon, a plumber, intervened. Trump explained that Khayon, described as strong from his profession, saw what was happening and heard the screams. While the plane was in a steep dive, reportedly at extreme speeds that tore off the tail rudder, Khayon managed to reach the co-pilot, pull him from his seat, and throw him back. Other passengers then helped subdue the attacker.

Trump stated that Khayon then grabbed the controls, pulled them up, and leveled the plane just before impact, preventing a crash. He added that additional crew members and security personnel later entered the cockpit to secure the aircraft. Trump also mentioned that Khayon attributed his actions to watching the television show "Air Crash Investigation," from which he claimed to have learned how to fly a plane. Trump concluded his retelling with a humorous remark about Khayon being a "Jewish plumber."

Prime Minister Netanyahu also addressed the incident, telling CNN and Fox News that the pilot and the Israeli passengers who subdued the co-pilot "prevented a disaster on the scale of 9/11." He noted that there was no specific intelligence warning from Israel prior to the event and that the motive is still under investigation, with no current information linking Iran. Netanyahu stated that the suspect is being investigated in Saudi Arabia, and Israel will monitor and possibly participate in the inquiry. He also mentioned that the UAE President agreed to Israel's participation in the investigation.

The Flydubai flight FZ1073 was en route from Dubai to Israel when the co-pilot attacked the pilot. The plane lost altitude rapidly before passengers and crew intervened. The aircraft was safely landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and passengers were later returned to Israel. However, the article notes that not all details, including those described by Trump, have been officially confirmed by the investigation.