Netanyahu Praises Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during a violent cockpit incident aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, saying he helped prevent a potentially catastrophic mid-air disaster.
Netanyahu Praises Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar
Machchhar was stabbed during an altercation with the flight’s co-pilot aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30.
Despite suffering serious injuries, the captain managed to resist the attacker and unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to intervene.
Netanyahu later described Machchhar as a hero and thanked him for helping save the 174 people on board.
Passengers Help Overpower Co-Pilot
The aircraft experienced a sudden and dramatic loss of altitude during the incident, dropping more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Passengers and crew entered the cockpit after Machchhar opened the door and helped overpower the co-pilot. Additional flydubai pilots travelling on the aircraft subsequently took control.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Indian Pilot Stable in Saudi Hospital
Machchhar was admitted to hospital in Tabuk following the emergency landing. Indian officials said he was receiving medical treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.
Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot, whose motive remains under investigation. Israeli officials have alleged that he attempted to crash the aircraft, but authorities have not publicly established the motive.
Flydubai later suspended flights to and from Israel while the incident was investigated.
