Stories
PM Modi Praises Captain Smit: "True Hero" Saved 174 Lives in Mid-Air Attack
- •Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar saved 174 passengers after being attacked by a co-pilot during a Dubai to Tel Aviv flight.
- •An Omani co-pilot attacked Captain Smit with a knife in the cockpit, severely injuring him.
- •Despite severe injuries and bleeding, Captain Smit managed to open the cockpit door, leading to the apprehension of the attacker.
- •Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, and other leaders praised Captain Smit's bravery.
- •Captain Smit Machchhar, originally from Gujarat, has over 10 years of experience in commercial aviation and is currently stable.
Key Questions Answered
During a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Captain Smit Machchhar was suddenly attacked with a knife by an Omani co-pilot in the cockpit. Despite being seriously injured and bleeding, Captain Smit managed to open the cockpit door so crew and passengers could apprehend the attacker, while other pilots safely landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his immense courage on Twitter, calling him a true hero who averted a major disaster. Leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Gujarat's Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also saluted his bravery.
Captain Smit Machchhar is originally from Gujarat and has over 10 years of experience in the commercial aviation sector, having served at SpiceJet before joining Flydubai in June 2022. Following the incident, he is currently undergoing medical treatment and his condition is reported to be stable and safe.
