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Indian Captain Fights Off Co-Pilot Attempting to Crash Flydubai Plane: Israeli PM
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News18•01-10-2026, 00:45
Indian Captain Fights Off Co-Pilot Attempting to Crash Flydubai Plane: Israeli PM
- •Indian Captain Smit Machchhar of a Dubai-Tel Aviv Flydubai flight fought off his co-pilot who allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- •Netanyahu hailed Machchhar as a "true hero" for preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster, saving 174 lives despite being stabbed and seriously injured.
- •The incident involved the co-pilot stabbing Captain Machchhar and attempting to crash the aircraft, which made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- •Passengers and crew members, including off-duty pilots, helped overpower the attacker after Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, with some passengers describing the plane diving and spinning.
- •Flydubai confirmed an in-flight "altercation" and that the aircraft landed safely, with all passengers and crew accounted for; the incident remains under investigation by Saudi authorities.
Key Questions Answered
An Indian captain fought off his co-pilot who allegedly stabbed him and attempted to crash the aircraft. The plane made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, and all 174 passengers and crew were safe.
Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door after being stabbed, enabling passengers and crew to break in and overpower the attacker.
The aircraft transmitted emergency signals and diverted to Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
