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Netanyahu Praises Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar for Heroism in Mid-Air Attack
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News18•04-10-2026, 00:45
Netanyahu Praises Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar for Heroism in Mid-Air Attack
- •Captain Smit Machchhar recounted to PM Netanyahu how he was attacked after his co-pilot prayed, receiving blows to the back of his head.
- •Netanyahu lauded Machchhar's courage and composure, stating he "saved so many souls" and "the spirit of the world."
- •The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia despite extreme descent that tore away part of the rudder, astonishing aviation experts.
- •FlyDubai confirmed that crew members on board assisted in stabilizing and landing the aircraft.
- •Both the captain and co-pilot were taken to the UAE, while most Israeli passengers flew home to cheers.
Key Questions Answered
During their phone call, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Capt. Smit Machchhar for his courage and composure under impossible conditions, telling him that he saved many lives and the spirit of the world.
The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after an extreme descent that tore away part of its rudder. Aviation experts marvelled that it did not crash, and FlyDubai stated that crew members traveling on the aircraft helped stabilize and land it.
Following the emergency landing, both the captain and co-pilot were taken to the UAE. The passengers, the majority of whom were Israeli, flew home to cheers on a separate plane later on Wednesday.
