Tel Aviv, 01 October (H.S.):

A passenger who helped restrain a pilot during a dramatic mid-air emergency aboard a flydubai flight has described the tense moments when passengers forced their way into the cockpit as the aircraft rapidly lost altitude.

Yaniv Hayoun, who was travelling on flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, September 30, later met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport after the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

According to Hayoun's account, a violent confrontation broke out between the two pilots while the Boeing 737 was approaching Israel. The aircraft subsequently entered a steep descent, prompting passengers and crew members to intervene.

Hayoun told Netanyahu that he and other passengers tried to reach the cockpit after learning that one of the pilots had been injured.

The injured captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, was reportedly stabbed during the confrontation. Accounts of the incident indicate that Machchhar helped open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter the flight deck and restrain the other pilot.

Hayoun said that when he entered the cockpit, he saw the alleged attacker near the aircraft's controls. He described grabbing and restraining the man before pulling him away from the flight deck controls.

He also recalled seeing the aircraft's nose pointing downward during the emergency.

The passenger said the situation unfolded within seconds and that those inside the cabin understood that immediate intervention was necessary.

When Netanyahu asked Hayoun how he knew what to do inside the cockpit, the passenger reportedly replied that he had watched the television programme Air Crash Investigation.

The aircraft experienced a significant loss of altitude during the confrontation before control was restored. Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit, while additional pilots travelling on board assisted in stabilising the aircraft.

The flight was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The passengers were later transported to Israel.

Passenger Meets Netanyahu

After reaching Israel, Hayoun met Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport. Footage released by the prime minister's office showed Netanyahu embracing the passenger and praising his actions during the emergency.

Hayoun was reportedly still wearing clothing stained with blood when he met the Israeli leader. Netanyahu told him that his actions had helped protect those aboard the aircraft and potentially prevented a far more serious outcome.

Indian Captain Stable

Captain Smit Machchhar was injured during the confrontation and taken to a hospital in Tabuk.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said Machchhar was stable and receiving medical treatment. Indian officials said they were in contact with his family and coordinating with Saudi authorities over his care.

Machchhar's response during the incident has received praise from Israeli officials. His reported efforts to help open the cockpit door, despite being injured, enabled passengers and crew members to reach the flight deck.

Investigation Continues

Saudi authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation, while flydubai has also said investigations are continuing.

The precise circumstances of the alleged attack, including the motive and intentions of the other pilot, have not been conclusively established in public statements.

Israeli officials have described the episode as a potentially catastrophic aviation emergency, while the motive behind the confrontation remains unclear.

The incident has also renewed attention on cockpit security and pilot screening for international flights operating to Israel. Israeli authorities have indicated that additional security measures may follow.

For the passengers of flight FZ1073, what began as a routine journey from Dubai to Tel Aviv ended with an emergency diversion and a dramatic intervention inside the cockpit. The aircraft ultimately reached the ground safely in Saudi Arabia, while investigators continue to piece together the events that unfolded at cruising altitude.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar