An Israeli passenger, Yaniv Hayun, has been hailed as a hero by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his quick actions that reportedly prevented a catastrophic incident on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The flight, which made an emergency landing in Tabuk, northern Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, October 1, 2026, experienced a dramatic cockpit incident.
According to Reuters and Israeli officials, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the Omani captain, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, during the flight. Cabin crew and passengers, including Hayun, intervened to subdue the attacker. The Boeing 737 MAX 8, carrying approximately 180 passengers, subsequently plunged 17,400 feet from 34,000 feet to 16,600 feet in just over two minutes before an emergency alert was issued.
Hayun's Heroic Intervention
Yaniv Hayun recounted to Prime Minister Netanyahu how he jumped into the cockpit, pulling controls to stabilize the aircraft, which was 'on the nose' downwards. When asked how he knew what to do, Hayun famously replied, "I watch Mayday Mr. Prime Minister," referring to the popular aviation disaster documentary series. His intervention reportedly helped level the plane before a second team of pilots on board took full control and performed the emergency landing.
The injured captain and co-pilot were both taken to a hospital in Tabuk, and the aircraft's rudder was reported to be damaged. Israeli officials have described the event as an attempted terror attack, with Mossad reportedly investigating the incident.
Netanyahu Praises 'Tremendous Courage'
Prime Minister Netanyahu met with Hayun, expressing profound gratitude for his actions. In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu stated, "He prevented another 9/11." He lauded Hayun's "tremendous courage" and "coolness of judgment."
"I asked him, 'So what do you do for a living?' And he said, 'I'm a plumber. I unplug, unclog sewage clogs.' I said, 'Well, you certainly unclogged a big one this time. An amazing act of heroism of his, of the Indian pilot, of the people who helped them. They stopped a disaster that could have been global."
Netanyahu's office also released a video showing the Prime Minister embracing Hayun, telling him, "I see you and I see a lion - a big hero." US President Donald Trump also reportedly discussed the incident at length with Netanyahu.