Trump Praises Israeli Plumber Who Subdued flydubai Hijacker

President Trump on Saturday praised Yaniv Hayoun, an Israeli plumber credited with helping subdue a copilot who allegedly tried to crash flydubai flight FZ1073 en route to Tel Aviv, according to the New York Post. Trump released a Truth Social video calling Hayoun "a Trump fan" and saying, "He can be my plumber. He can be whatever he wants to be," per remarks reported by the Post.

What Numbers Describe the flydubai Incident?

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told Hayoun, "Thank you for saving the lives of 170 people," in a clip posted to X and cited by the Post. The flight has been identified by the outlet as flydubai FZ1073. The Post reported that the copilot, described as radicalized and from Oman, stabbed the pilot in an attempt to bring down the jet. No additional casualty or passenger-count figures beyond the 170 cited by Huckabee appear in the available reporting.

What Is Known About Yaniv Hayoun?

Hayoun is identified by the Post as an Israeli plumber who was aboard the flight. He told reporters, per the Post, that he drew on information about stabilizing a descending aircraft that he had seen on the Smithsonian Channel's "Air Disasters" program. The Post reported that Hayoun helped subdue the copilot during the struggle for control of the plane.

What Did Trump Say About Hayoun?

"He's an Israeli plumber. And he's a Trump fan and I'm a fan of his — a big fan," Trump said in the video, according to the Post. "He saved that flight yesterday. He did an amazing job," Trump added, calling him "my kind of guy." The video, filmed in the Oval Office, included footage from Huckabee's meeting with Hayoun, in which the ambassador gave him a red cap signed by Trump, the Post reported.

Timeline: From Cockpit Attack to Trump's Tribute

• Day of flight: flydubai FZ1073, bound for Tel Aviv, experiences an alleged cockpit attack when the copilot stabs the pilot, per the Post's reporting.
• During the incident: Hayoun and other passengers intervene to subdue the copilot, the Post reported.
• Following day: Huckabee meets Hayoun and thanks him on camera for "saving the lives of 170 people," posting the exchange to X.
• Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026: Trump posts a Truth Social video praising Hayoun and offering him a symbolic job as his plumber, according to the Post.

What To Watch Next

• Whether Israeli or Emirati aviation authorities release an official incident report on flydubai FZ1073.
• Any additional statement from flydubai or Omani authorities regarding the copilot's background.
• Further public remarks from Hayoun, Huckabee, or Trump as the story develops.

Glossary

• flydubai: A low-cost airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• Copilot: The second-in-command pilot authorized to help operate an aircraft alongside the captain.
• Truth Social: The social media platform used by President Trump to post the video referenced in this report.

The Post's full account, including additional detail from Huckabee's video, is available at the originating story.