Two days ago, an Israeli plane bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, narrowly escaped a horrific crash. Israel alleges that the co-pilot tried to bring down the plane by hitting or stabbing the captain with a hammer. New information is coming to light about the events of that day, revealing that the other passengers on the plane escaped certain death thanks to the intelligence and quick action of some passengers, one of whom was Yaniv Hayun. Hayun, a mechanic by profession, entered the cockpit and sat in the pilot’s seat during the struggle between the pilots. Although he had no professional training in flying, he had some idea about it after watching various flight programs on television. At that time, the plane was descending steeply. Hayun pulled the plane’s controls backward to straighten the plane first. Later, an off-duty pilot made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Yaniv is being hailed as a hero by many. On the day of the incident, he returned to Israel from Saudi Arabia and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At that time, Netanyahu asked him how he had controlled the plane. In response, Yaniv said that he watched a TV show about plane crashes, and that was how he learned how to fly a plane. He told Netanyahu, “I watched the plane crash search show, Prime Minister.”
Yaniv also said that when they approached the cockpit, they saw the captain lying in front of the cockpit door covered in blood. They quickly removed him and entered the cockpit. The co-pilot who carried out the attack was grabbed by the throat and laid on the ground. Then Yaniv went to the pilot’s seat and pulled the controls backwards. This saved the plane from falling steeply and crashing. The incident began when the Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv sent a series of distress signals, including the 7500 code indicating unlawful interference or possible hijacking. The plane descended from 34,000 feet to about 16,600 feet in just two minutes before the first emergency signal was sent. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled from Tel Aviv due to fears of a hijacking, as there were dozens of Israeli citizens on board. The plane later diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
The quick thinking and bravery of Yaniv Hayun and other passengers who helped subdue the attacker and stabilize the aircraft prevented a major disaster. The co-pilot’s motive remains under investigation, and authorities in Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are continuing to examine the circumstances of the attack. The incident has drawn widespread attention, not only because of the dramatic mid-air struggle but also because of the extraordinary role played by ordinary passengers in saving the lives of everyone on board.
