Indian pilot attacked with knife on Flydubai flight hailed as hero

During a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Indian captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed in the cockpit by his co-pilot, helped passengers subdue the attacker while injured and ensured the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia, earning worldwide praise as a hero.

Cockpit Attack and Emergency Landing

On a Flydubai flight carrying 182 passengers from Dubai, the co-pilot reportedly launched a knife attack on captain Smit Machchhar. The severely injured captain managed to open the cockpit door to allow passengers inside and helped subdue the attacker. Following the incident, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Praise from Leaders and the Airline

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Machchhar as a hero, stating that the pilot showed extraordinary courage and determination even at the height of danger. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also emphasized that a catastrophe was averted thanks to the wounded captain's exceptional bravery, while his former employer SpiceJet and the pilot's family expressed their pride.

Pilot's Health Condition and Background

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, announced that captain Smit Machchhar was hospitalized and his condition was stable. Machchhar, a married father of two from Mumbai, has worked in the aviation industry for many years, has thousands of flight hours in his career, and previously received flight training in New Zealand.

Eyewitnesses and Status of the Attacker

Shota Musayev, a dentist and passenger on the plane, recounted that the injured pilot opened the cockpit door to let them in and later assisted with the pilot's medical treatment. Israeli authorities noted that the attacker, an Omani citizen, was arrested in Saudi Arabia and the investigation is ongoing.