Trump Praises Flydubai Hero Yaniv Hayun: “He Can Be My Plumber"
President Donald Trump released a video praising Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayun for his role in helping save the Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight during the dramatic cockpit attack last week.
Trump congratulated Hayun and described himself as a “big fan” of the Israeli passenger. He praised Hayun for rushing into the cockpit and helping stabilize the aircraft as it plunged during the emergency. The Times of Israel
“He’s my kind of guy,” Trump said, before joking that Hayun “can be my plumber.” Trump called Hayun a hero and also congratulated his family. The Times of Israel
Hayun was among the passengers who intervened aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 after the co-pilot attacked and stabbed the captain. Hayun entered the cockpit, helped remove the attacker from the controls and then pulled back on the aircraft's controls as the plane was descending. Another pilot aboard the flight subsequently helped bring the aircraft to a safe landing in Saudi Arabia. Reuters
Hayun later explained that his familiarity with what to do came from watching the television program Air Crash Investigation. His actions, together with those of several other passengers, drew widespread attention following the incident. Reuters
Trump's video came after Hayun met with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who thanked him for his actions and presented him with a MAGA hat signed by Trump