Canadian TV Producer Praises Passenger Who Used Show to Save Flydubai Flight

The producer of a Canadian documentary series on aviation disasters expressed astonishment after an Israeli passenger, Yaniv Hayun, used information from the show to help regain control of a Flydubai plane during an attempted hijacking. Hayun, who had no prior cockpit experience, recalled details from the series "Air Crash Investigation" as the aircraft plunged towards the ground. He intervened, entered the cockpit, and assisted in maneuvering the plane, potentially saving the lives of the estimated 800 to 900 people on board.

Alex Baystrum, producer of "Air Crash Investigation," stated in an interview that this was the first time he had heard of a viewer using the program's content to avert a disaster. He invited Hayun to visit the show's set. Hayun is one of four Israeli passengers who helped neutralize the co-pilot on the flight from Dubai to Israel. He is slated to receive a medal of valor from the President of Israel, along with three other passengers, Dr. Shota Musaev, Zvika Mans, and Assaf Rejwan, for their actions.

Hayun recounted that amidst the chaos as the plane dived, he remembered the show's content and grabbed the controls. When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked him how he knew what to do, Hayun replied, "I watch 'Air Crash Investigation,' Mr. Prime Minister." Baystrum noted that the plane was approximately 90 seconds from impact and was under attack, yet Hayun managed to take the crucial action of opening the door.

Baystrum, whose series is in its 26th season, explained that "Air Crash Investigation" covers various aviation failures, including human error, technical malfunctions, and poor decisions. He mentioned that there have been historical instances of pilots intentionally crashing planes, resulting in hundreds of fatalities. Following the Flydubai incident, Baystrum suggested a review of pilot screening, recurrent training, and psychological evaluations to better identify individuals who might pose a deliberate threat.

He added that the official investigation into the incident could take months or even over a year. If significant aviation safety lessons emerge from the inquiry, Baystrum indicated that the event might become an episode in "Air Crash Investigation" in the future.