Passenger Yaniv Hayoun was among those who stormed the cockpit of Flight FZ1073 after the aircraft suddenly plunged, losing more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. In a video posted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on social media, Hayoun, still wearing a bloodstained shirt, said he realised something was wrong when the plane dropped. "I grabbed the attacker, put him in a chokehold, and pulled him outside," Hayoun told Netanyahu. He described seeing one pilot down and the other pilot apparently trying to destroy the instruments. After subduing the attacker with other passengers, Hayoun said he jumped back into the cockpit and "started pulling the controls." When Netanyahu asked whether he knew what he was doing, Hayoun replied: "I watch Air Crash Investigation, Mr Prime Minister." The plane, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operated by flydubai, was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board when the incident occurred. Passenger Zvika Meness told Israeli public broadcaster Kan that he and others tied up the attacker with his own zip ties and multimedia headphones. The injured pilot, identified by Israeli officials as Indian national Smit Machchhar, was stabbed by the co-pilot but managed to click the release to open the cockpit door. Two off-duty flydubai pilots who were in the passenger cabin then took control and landed the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the incident as "a jihadist terror attempt." False information and deepfake videos about the incident have been spreading online, including an AI-generated video purporting to be a real BBC News report.
Passenger recounts cockpit chokehold as flydubai incident confirmed as terror attempt
Yaniv Hayoun, who subdued the co-pilot, says he learned to pull the plane out of a dive from a TV documentary. Israeli officials label the attack a jihadist terror attempt.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The incident raises urgent questions about aviation security protocols, particularly cockpit door procedures and the vetting of flight crew.
- It highlights the risk of insider attacks by pilots, a scenario security measures have not fully addressed since the Germanwings crash in 2015.
- The rapid spread of disinformation and deepfakes around the event underscores the challenges of maintaining factual reporting during breaking news with geopolitical dimensions.
Background
Flight FZ1073 was a routine commercial flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Two hours into the journey, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft, forcing the plane into a rapid descent. Passengers and crew intervened, subduing the attacker and stabilising the aircraft. The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The incident has been labelled a terror attempt by Israeli officials, and investigations are ongoing. The injured captain, Smit Machchhar, is an Indian national, while the attacker has not yet been formally identified by authorities.
Key Perspectives
Passengers and crew who intervened: They are being hailed as heroes for acting quickly to subdue the attacker and prevent a potential crash. Their actions demonstrate the critical role passengers can play in hijacking or cockpit intrusion scenarios. Israeli officials: Prime Minister Netanyahu called Hayoun a "great hero" and a "lion." Defence Minister Katz labelled the event a jihadist terror attempt, framing it within Israel's broader security concerns. Misinformation spreaders: Conspiracy theorists and disinformation actors are exploiting the event to push false narratives, including claims of a "false flag" operation by Israel and fabricated details about the attacker's nationality. This complicates public understanding of an already tense situation.
What to Watch
- Official identification of the attacking co-pilot and any disclosure of his motives or affiliations.
- The condition of Captain Smit Machchhar and whether he will be able to provide further testimony.
- Any changes to airline security protocols, particularly regarding cockpit door access and background checks for flight crew.
Sources
- Flydubai attack feeds into Netanyahu’s ‘protector’ narrative with crucial elections approaching — The Conversation – Articles (AU)
- How the flydubai flight plunged thousands of metres in minutes — Just In
- ‘I grabbed the terrorist’: How hero passengers helped save Flight FZ1073 — Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
- Mid-air stabbing, cockpit scrum and 'miracle' landing: Inside the flydubai flight — Just In
- ‘I grabbed the terrorist’: How hero passengers helped save Flight FZ1073 — Brisbane Times - Latest News
- ‘I grabbed the terrorist’: How hero passengers helped save Flight FZ1073 — The Age - Latest News
- Flydubai passenger describes putting attacker in chokehold after cockpit stabbing — BBC News
- A terrifying plunge, loud screams, blood everywhere: How flight FZ1073 unfolded, moment by moment — The Age - Latest News
- With a tragedy averted, the Flydubai incident has put cockpit security under new scrutiny — The Conversation – Articles (AU)
- Wong thanks ‘heroes’ who thwarted flydubai pilot’s alleged attack on co-pilot as Australians confirmed safe — Australia news | The Guardian
- Fake news and deepfakes about flydubai flight spreading online — Just In
- Wong thanks ‘heroes’ who thwarted flydubai pilot’s alleged attack on co-pilot as Australians confirmed safe — World news | The Guardian
- Netanyahu says too early to tell who was behind plane incident as flydubai halts all flights to Israel — World news | The Guardian