Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun has recounted the dramatic moments inside the cockpit of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 after an altercation involving an Omani co-pilot left the aircraft in a rapid descent before passengers and additional crew members intervened.
Hayun, who has an aviation background, described how he grabbed the suspected attacker, put him in a chokehold and pulled him out of the cockpit. He then returned to help regain control of the aircraft.
“I grabbed the attacker, put him in a chokehold and pulled him out. I called the Israelis who were with us, jumped back in and pulled the controls. I started pulling them back,” Hayun said.
His white shirt was reportedly still stained with blood when he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport following the incident.
‘The Pilot Was Trying To Destroy The Instruments’
Hayun said the suspected attacker was also attempting to damage the aircraft’s instruments and systems during the cockpit struggle.
“The pilot was trying to destroy the instruments in order to disable the plane,” he recalled.
According to Hayun, the aircraft had begun to level out when the pilot told him he was taking control. He also believes the wounded captain managed to unlock the cockpit door for passengers before collapsing.
“He was very close to the door, and that made it difficult for us to open it,” Hayun said. “My conclusion is that he managed to open it for us before he collapsed.”
Israeli officials have described the incident as an apparent attempt to crash or hijack the aircraft after the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain. The flight had lost altitude rapidly during the incidentMIbefore control was regained and the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Passengers Helped Restrain The Suspect
Hayun was among at least four Israelis who helped overpower and restrain the suspected attacker. Another passenger, Israeli dentist Musaev Shota, said he rushed toward the cockpit after hearing shouting and helped bind the attacker.
Shota also treated the badly bleeding captain after the suspect was subdued. The group reportedly tied the suspect’s hands and legs after he continued struggling.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating as Flydubai Flight FZ1073, had departed Dubai for Tel Aviv with roughly 174–180 people aboard, including about 27 children. Most of the passengers were Israeli.
The aircraft transmitted emergency codes, including hijacking squawk 7500, and Israeli fighter jets were scrambled. Passengers and additional Flydubai crew aboard the flight helped enter the cockpit and regain control, while off-duty pilots among the passengers assisted with flying.
The aircraft ultimately landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. All passengers were accounted for, and both the captain and first officer were taken to hospital.
The captain was identified in the supplied material as Indian national Smit Machchhar, while the suspected attacker was described as an Omani co-pilot who was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities.
Israeli officials are treating the incident as a suspected terror attack, while Flydubai confirmed that an “altercation” occurred in the flight deck and was secured by crew members aboard the aircraft. The motive and full details remain under investigation.
