On Wednesday, President Donald Trump recounted an account of how an Israeli plumber helped prevent a Flydubai jet carrying 174 people from crashing after an altercation between the pilots sent the aircraft into a steep descent.
Trump Recounts Israeli Passenger’s Role
Trump said he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the incident and described an “Israeli plumber” intervening after hearing screams from the cockpit.
“He took the stick, lifted it up and leveled out the plane before it crashed,” Trump said.
The president added that the passenger had never flown a plane, but Netanyahu told him he watches the Canadian documentary television program “Air Disasters” also known as “Mayday.”
“He said he watches that show, Air Disasters,” Trump stated, prompting laughter. “You know the show? It’s the craziest show… he learned from watching that show sort of how to fly.”
The Times of Israel identified the passenger as Yaniv Hayun.
Flydubai Flight Plunges 16,000 Feet
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a violent confrontation erupted in the cockpit.
Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, in what they described as an apparent attempt to bring down the aircraft.
According to flight-tracking service Flightradar24, the Boeing (NYSE:BA) 737 Max 8 dropped from about 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in roughly a minute before eventually making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai described the incident as an “altercation in the cockpit” and said crew members diverted and landed the aircraft safely.
Netanyahu Praises Indian Pilot
Netanyahu separately praised Machchhar, calling him a “true hero” for fighting back, opening the cockpit door and allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker.
“My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery,” Netanyahu said.
The co-pilot was reportedly arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities. Authorities have not established his identity or motive.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo Courtesy: Andrew Leyden on Shutterstock.com
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