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PM Modi Praises Captain Machchhar for Bravery in Protecting Lives During Crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar for saving 174 lives after the co-pilot attack, calling him a national hero.

  • On Wednesday, Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar regained control of flight FZ1073 after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him mid-flight, forcing an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The aircraft was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
  • During the altercation, the aircraft reportedly dropped about 17,000 feet in less than two minutes. Passenger Almog Italie described the plane first dropping amid "massive turbulence" for around 20 to 30 seconds before stabilizing.
  • Using "muscle memory," Captain Machchhar handled the emergency and saved 174 lives despite being stabbed, according to Dr. Jinit Shah, a urologist and neighbor. His training as a pilot and instructor reportedly proved critical.
  • After spending six hours in Saudi Arabia, passengers including 166 Israeli citizens were flown to Israel on a replacement aircraft. Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel while authorities investigate.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the pilots prevented a "9/11 disaster," while Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar's "extraordinary courage," adding that India is proud of the pilot's resolve.
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dagelijksestandaard.nldagelijksestandaard.nl
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NEW DELHI (ANP/AFP) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the Indian pilot who was attacked with a knife by his co-pilot on a FlyDubai aircraft on Wednesday. In a message on X, he called him a "hero". "Despite the extreme danger and although he was seriously injured, he showed..."

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The pilot had saved the "life of 174 people" and the airline stopped flying to and from Israel.

·Vienna, Austria
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Moneycontrol broke the news in Mumbai, India on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
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