A Flydubai aircraft traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv plummeted roughly half its altitude within a minute after a pilot allegedly stabbed a fellow crew member and attempted to seize the controls. The cockpit door was pressed shut, forcing passengers to improvise a plan.
Passengers, led by Yaniv Hayoun, forced their way into the cockpit, subdued the attacker in a chokehold, and helped maintain control of the aircraft. Hayoun later recalled, "I watched Air Crash Investigation, so I knew how to pull back the handles."
After the plane diverted to Jeddah and landed safely, Hayoun was met by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Tel Aviv airport. Netanyahu praised him as a hero, saying, "You saved the passengers and many others."
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but officials note the incident occurs just days before the anniversary of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, raising concerns over heightened security risks.
Israeli security agencies have opened an investigation and are reviewing cockpit access protocols. Flydubai will cooperate with authorities as part of the probe.
Hayoun, still covered in blood, expressed relief that the plane landed safely and thanked the crew for their quick actions.