Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was stabbed on Flydubai flight FZ1073. Netanyahu praised him after the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar Flydubai captain as a “true hero” after he was seriously injured during a cockpit attack on a flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The incident involved the co-pilot allegedly stabbing Machchhar while the aircraft was carrying 174 people.
The Indian pilot Smit Machchhar Flydubai incident occurred aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was operating a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv service. According to Israeli officials, Machchhar fought back after being attacked and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to overpower the attacker.
Netanyahu said Machchhar’s actions helped prevent what could have been a catastrophic mid-air disaster.
“He is a true hero,” Netanyahu wrote on X.
Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Flydubai Captain Praised by Netanyahu
Netanyahu said that despite being seriously wounded, Captain Smit Machchhar resisted the attacker and opened the cockpit door. This allowed passengers and crew to enter the cockpit and help restrain the co-pilot.
The Israeli prime minister said the captain’s actions helped save the lives of the 174 people aboard the aircraft.
The Flydubai cockpit attack took place while the Boeing 737 Max 8 was travelling towards Israel. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia.
According to flight-tracking service Flightradar24, the aircraft descended from around 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in approximately one minute.
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 Makes Emergency Landing
The Smit Machchhar Flydubai flight was diverted to Tabuk after the incident inside the cockpit. The airline said the aircraft had experienced an “altercation in the cockpit” and that on-duty crew members managed to divert and land the aircraft safely.
Flydubai, which is owned by the United Arab Emirates government, later suspended flights to and from Israel while an investigation into the incident continued.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority said the flight had experienced a security incident that was brought under control.
A rescue flight operated by Flydubai later transported the passengers from Tabuk to their final destination, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The replacement flight arrived at 15:34 GMT.
Israel to Check Pilots Flying Into the Country
Following the Flydubai cockpit attack, Israel said it would examine the identities of pilots operating flights into the country.
Doron Spielman, a spokesman for Netanyahu, said Israel would know the identities of pilots flying into Israel and conduct some form of security check.
The co-pilot involved in the incident has not been publicly identified. Israeli officials said Saudi authorities arrested him after the emergency landing and questioned him.
No motive for the incident has been established.
Passengers Describe the Flight as a Miracle
Passengers aboard the aircraft described a chaotic struggle inside the plane as they tried to prevent a possible disaster.
Yaniv Hayun, who entered the cockpit, said he grabbed the controls and pulled them back after seeing the action performed on television. Crew members subsequently took control.
Netanyahu’s office released a video showing the prime minister embracing Hayun at Ben Gurion Airport. Hayun was still wearing the bloodstained shirt he had worn during the flight.
Asaf Rajuan, who helped restrain the attacker, also spoke about the incident with blood visible on his forehead.
“This is something you do without thinking, just running to save your daughter’s life, your family’s life,” he said.
Another passenger, Almog Italie, said the aircraft dropped “very, very sharply”, stabilised and then fell several more times.
Naama Bershadski said she closed her eyes and prayed because she believed they were going to die.
Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Receives Medical Treatment
India’s Embassy in Riyadh confirmed that Indian pilot Smit Machchhar had been admitted to a hospital in Tabuk, in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
The embassy described Machchhar as the “brave Indian pilot of Flydubai” and said he was receiving the necessary medical treatment.
The embassy added that it was awaiting a complete update regarding his condition, although he was reported to be in stable condition.
The incident has drawn international attention after Captain Smit Machchhar was praised for his actions during the emergency. Current reports also say he underwent treatment following the incident.
What Happened on the Dubai to Tel Aviv Flight?
According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit while Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was approaching Israel.
The aircraft then experienced a rapid loss of altitude before passengers and crew members intervened. Machchhar opened the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing others to enter and overpower the attacker.
The Boeing 737 Max 8 was subsequently diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely in Tabuk.
The exact motive behind the incident remains unknown, and authorities are continuing to investigate what happened aboard the flight.
The The Times of Russia will continue to follow developments surrounding the Indian pilot Smit Machchhar Flydubai incident as further information becomes available.
