By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-01 02:41:03 | Updated at 2026-10-01 03:22:57
1 hour ago
An off-duty British pilot helped prevent a "9/11-style" jet crash which could have claimed thousands of lives, it has been revealed.
A Flydubai jet from Dubai to Israel plunged from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in just a minute after one pilot allegedly stabbed his co-pilot then tried to hijack the plane.
Passengers and crew then managed to tie up and stop the alleged attacker, forcing the jet to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia and stopping it from crashing.
Now, it has been revealed an off-duty British pilot helped to stabilise and land the jet.
Almog Itali, a passenger on the terrifying flight, detailed the Briton's role.
"There were two pilots in the front, one stabbed the other, and there were two spare pilots who were supposed to operate the next flight," he told the BBC.
"The relief pilots are European, one of them British, who entered and pulled the aircraft up, pulled the yoke, stabilised the plane and landed us in Saudi Arabia."
Flydubai later said the aircraft was "successfully secured by on-duty crew travelling on the flight".
The identities of both pilots in question are still yet to be revealed.
Yaniv Hayun said he knew what to do in the high-stakes situation because he watches Air Crash Investigation
X
The Flydubai flight eventually landed safely thanks to the hero off-duty pilots
REUTERS
Details of the fate of 174-passenger flight emerged this morning.
The incident was labelled "an attempted jihadist terror attack" by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, which was "thwarted only thanks to the heroism of several Israeli passengers".
The victim of the attack, Smit Machchhar, prevented attempts to damage the plane's systems and opened the cockpit door so passengers could flood in.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Indian national 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 said.
Benjamin Netanyahu told Yaniv Hayun, who helped thwart the attacker, he was a 'hero'
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE
"He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals."
Also praised as a "hero" was Israeli national Yaniv Hayun, who entered the cockpit and took down the attacker.
Mr Hayun described his actions in a meeting with Mr Netanyahu. He explained how as he entered the cockpit, he saw one pilot on the instruments and the other on the ground.
He said: "I grabbed the attacker, put him in a chokehold, and pulled him - first and foremost - outside.
Passengers were embraced by family and friends on their return to Israel
REUTERS
"We pulled him out; it was a matter of seconds. I called out to the Israeli guys with us on the plane - I called them, and two other guys came over to me... we pinned [the attacker] down to keep him secure."
And when asked by Mr Netanyahu how he knew what to do, he said: "I watch Air Crash Investigation, Mr Prime Minister."
Another passenger, Zvika Meness, told Israeli public broadcaster Kahn the attacker was subdued with "his own zip ties and with the multimedia headphones".
The suspect has now been arrested and is being questioned by Saudi Arabian authorities.
