Yaniv Hayun, a 32‑year‑old Israeli citizen, seized the cockpit of a flydubai aircraft after the co‑pilot, an Omani national, was stabbed by the captain, an Indian national, on a flight headed to Israel in October 2024. The cockpit door had been opened by the wounded captain, and Hayun was able to push the co‑pilot out of the way, taking control of the flight controls before the plane began a rapid descent.
The jet plummeted 17,400 feet in under two minutes, but the emergency response team on board and the crew on the ground managed to stabilize the aircraft. The crew directed the plane toward Tabuk Airport, where the jet landed safely and the captain was taken to a hospital in Riyadh. He is now in stable condition, according to the Indian Embassy.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reviewed the video footage in his office, where Hayun explains that he watched the television series "Air Crash Investigation" to learn how to fly a jet. Netanyahu laughed at the claim but praised the passenger’s quick thinking, saying the incident was a reminder of the need for vigilance.
The attack came just days before the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, adding another layer of tension to the already fraught region. Authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the co‑pilot’s conduct, while the airline has pledged to review its cockpit security protocols. The incident has prompted calls for tighter controls on passenger aircraft in the Middle East.