Indian airline captain hailed as a hero after cockpit stabbing on FlyDubai flight bound for Israel
The captain’s actions helped passengers and crew overpower the co-pilot, and officials said 174 people survived the emergency diversion.
- On Wednesday, Flydubai Flight FZ1073 diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after Captain Smit Machchhar fought off his co-pilot during a mid-air knife attack, ensuring all 174 passengers survived the emergency landing.
- The aircraft plunged approximately 17,000 feet after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar and attempted to sabotage flight controls; the captain triggered the cockpit door release before collapsing.
- Machchhar, a veteran pilot with 9,750 total flying hours, remained conscious long enough to unlock the cockpit door, allowing standby pilots aboard to secure the aircraft for safe landing.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Machchhar as a "true hero," with Modi writing, "India is proud of Captain Machchhar" for his extraordinary resolve.
- Saudi authorities are interrogating the suspect while Netanyahu ordered heightened security protocols for all carriers entering Israeli airspace; Flydubai cautioned against "premature speculation" regarding the motive.
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The prime ministers of India and Israel are paying tribute to the pilot who was injured aboard a plane bound for Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
The airline announced that all passengers, including many Israelis, were safe and sound, after this incident considered an attempted jihadist attack by the Israeli government.
‘A true hero’: Modi, Trump, and Netanyahu hail Indian pilot Machchhar after in-flight Attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US president Donald Trump both hailed Captain Smit Machchhar as a “hero” while Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was no less effusive in his words to praise his “extra ordinary” resistance.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised flydubai's Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who managed to prevent the plane from being shot down despite a knife attack by his co-pilot.
Flydubai hijack raises questions as Congress stays silent on Israeli victims, terrorism and Indian pilot Smit Machchhar
The September 30 Flydubai hijacking and reported terrorist attack have opened a pointed question for the Congress and its leadership. A flight carrying Israeli passengers came under an attempt to seize control of the aircraft, with the plane plunging sharply and emergency code 7500 signalling unlawful interference. Passengers and crew intervened to stop the attacker before the aircraft was brought under control and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabi…
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