Trump calls Flydubai hero 'my kind of guy' and says he 'can be my plumber'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump, on Friday, October 2, praised Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun after his extraordinary intervention during a terrifying Flydubai flight emergency.

Hayoun was among the passengers who rushed toward the cockpit when violence broke out between the flight crew, helping restrain the attacker and assisting with the aircraft's controls as the plane plunged.

His actions have since earned recognition from Israel's leadership and a personal tribute from Trump.

Trump praises heroic passenger

Trump highlighted Hayoun's actions in a video message posted on Truth Social, expressing admiration for the Israeli passenger after learning how he responded during the airborne emergency.

“He's my kind of guy,” Trump said, adding that Hayoun could work for him or take on whatever role he wanted.

“He can be my plumber. He can be whatever he wants to be. What a job he did,” he added.

The president also called him a hero and congratulated both Hayoun and his family.

Hayoun was traveling aboard a Flydubai service heading toward Tel Aviv when an extraordinary situation unfolded inside the cockpit.

The aircraft was carrying more than 170 people when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, leaving him seriously injured.

The violence created a potentially catastrophic situation because the aircraft was simultaneously losing altitude.

Hayoun and three other passengers intervened, entering the cockpit and helping overpower the attacker.

Hayoun then became involved in efforts to stabilize the aircraft.

Despite having no formal pilot training, he relied on knowledge he had picked up from watching 'Air Crash Investigation', a television program featuring reconstructions of aviation disasters.

The aircraft eventually reached Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing in Tabuk. The passengers and crew were able to get off the aircraft safely.

Netanyahu meets Israeli heroes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently met Hayoun and other passengers involved in the response after the aircraft reached safely.

During the meeting, Hayoun recounted the terrifying moments inside the plane and explained how passengers reacted after the cockpit attack.

Netanyahu also praised those who stepped forward when the aircraft was in danger, including Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, who played a critical role in helping regain control of the aircraft despite being injured.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog later announced that Hayoun and three other passengers involved in the intervention would be nominated for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism.

Additionally, Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is investigating whether the Flydubai attacker was sent by someone, saying whoever was behind him would “pay a very heavy price.”