Flydubai passenger who ‘tackled plane attacker’ before taking controls says he learnt it from TV

The passenger said he subdued the attacker before helping pull the aircraft’s controls

A heroic Flydubai passenger who says he helped take down an alleged knife-attacker in the cockpit before taking the controls revealed that he learnt what to do after watching it on TV.

Passengers and crew aboard the flight from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, were left horrified when the plane suddenly dropped.

Unknown to them, pilot Captain Smit Machchhar had allegedly been stabbed by his co-pilot while they were thousands of feet in the air.

The attacker, who has not yet been identified, is then alleged to have grabbed the controls and attempted to crash the commercial aircraft.

However, the alleged plot was thwarted after Captain Machchhar reportedly fought off the attacker and opened up the door of the cockpit to raise the alarm to the crew.

Yaniv Hayun was among a handful of brave passengers who helped overpower the attack and prevent the plane from crashing.

Yaniv met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recount his experiences and told him that he and another man entered the cockpit and saw one pilot ‘down’ and another ‘on the instruments’ and claimed he was trying to ‘destroy’ them in an attempt to ‘disable the plane’.

He said he ‘grabbed the attacker’ and was able to put him in a ‘chokehold’ before dragging him out of the cockpit and calling for two other men to hold him down.

Yaniv said he then went back into the cockpit and ‘pulled the controls’ of the plane.

When a shocked Netanyahu asked: “You pulled the controls?”

He explained: “I watch Air Crash Investigation, Mr Prime Minister.”

Yaniv continued: “And the plane started to level out, a bit more, and then the pilot told me he was taking control from there.”

As well as a small group of passengers, Captain Machchhar has also been hailed as a hero for his actions during the flight.

Netanyahu said: "My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.

"Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster.

"He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero."

Deputy Minister Almog Cohen added: “The State of Israel’s hero of the day is the Indian pilot, Capt. Smit Machchhar, whose remarkable resourcefulness enabled him to unlock the cockpit door and allow the Israeli lions to sink their teeth into the cowardly hyena who nearly killed 200 innocent people!

“Captain Machchhar, the State of Israel owes you a tremendous debt of gratitude. When the next Knesset convenes, I will submit a bill to name a lounge at Ben Gurion Airport in your honor!”

The Indian Embassy has since confirmed that Captain Machchhar was in a 'stable condition'.

A post on X read: "Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today.

"He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary medical attention. A full update on his health is awaited but he is reported to be in stable condition.

"We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest. We are in touch with his family and assure them that we will continue to follow up on his health with Saudi authorities and extend all possible assistance for his wellbeing."

The alleged attacker has since been arrested.

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

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