Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised “hero” Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for fighting off his co-pilot, who allegedly attempted to crash the Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai aircraft, saying India is “proud of him”.
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian citizen, had been working with flydubai – a low-cost carrier owned by the Emirati government, for four years.
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machchhar,” PM Modi wrote in a post on X. However, Machchhar fought back the co-pilot, resisted him, and opened the cockpit door so passengers and crew members could overpower him. Two other relief pilots who were seated at the back took over the aircraft and diverted it to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Meanwhile, a dentist onboard reportedly gave life-saving care to the injured pilot.
On Wednesday morning (IST), the co-pilot of a flydubai flight – which was carrying over 170 passengers – tried to sabotage the aircraft and later stabbed Machchhar, who was trying to prevent him from doing so. At the time, the Boeing 737, cruising at about 34,000 feet, began dropping at roughly 23,000 feet per minute before reaching about 15,600 feet. Earlier reporting noted: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the Indian pilot who fought off the co-pilot who allegedly tried to sabotage the plane’s systems, saving the lives of as many as 180 passengers on board the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
PM Modi further prayed for Machchhar’s “speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health”. Passengers near the front helped move the attacker away from the cockpit, according to accounts from those on board. Upon landing, both the pilot and co-pilot were taken to a hospital, and passengers were treated at the airport terminal. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Earlier reporting noted: Netanyahu said that even though he was stabbed and seriously injured, Machchhar fought back and opened the cockpit door which helped passengers and other crew members attack the perpetrator. Netanyahu said that even though he was stabbed and seriously injured, Machchhar fought back and opened the cockpit door which helped passengers and other crew members attack the perpetrator. Earlier reporting noted: In a post on X, Netanyahu said, “My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery”.
