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Indian Pilot Hailed as Hero for Foiling Flydubai Crash Attempt, Saving 174 Lives
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News18•01-10-2026, 20:30
Indian Pilot Hailed as Hero for Foiling Flydubai Crash Attempt, Saving 174 Lives
- •Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, was hailed as a "hero" by Israeli leaders for thwarting an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash a flydubai flight carrying nearly 180 people.
- •Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured in the cockpit but fought back, opened the door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker, preventing a mid-air disaster.
- •The flight, carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, safely landed in Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was taken into custody.
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog praised Machchhar's extraordinary bravery, with Herzog announcing a recommendation for the 'President’s Medal for Civilian Bravery' for four passengers.
- •The Indian Embassy in the UAE confirmed Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well, with the Indian Ambassador visiting him in the hospital.
Key Questions Answered
During a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the Indian co-pilot allegedly stabbed and seriously injured Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit. Despite his severe wounds, Captain Machchhar fought back and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and prevent a disaster.
The flydubai flight was carrying 174 passengers, which included 27 children, along with the flight crew.
The flight safely landed in Saudi Arabia at Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk city, where local authorities took the co-pilot into custody.
