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Netanyahu Meets Hero Pilot Smit Machchhar Who Saved 180 After Cockpit Stabbing
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News18•30-09-2026, 22:20
Netanyahu Meets Hero Pilot Smit Machchhar Who Saved 180 After Cockpit Stabbing
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar after a dramatic incident on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.
- •The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a violent confrontation reportedly inside the cockpit.
- •Machchhar, an Indian-origin pilot, is credited with bringing the aircraft to safety despite being stabbed.
- •Authorities are investigating the circumstances, including a reported co-pilot attack and a suspected terror angle.
- •The incident triggered emergency procedures and fears of a possible attack, but Machchhar's actions saved 180 people.
Key Questions Answered
Smit Machchhar is an Indian-origin Flydubai captain who was stabbed during a violent cockpit confrontation on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight but managed to land the aircraft safely. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met him following the dramatic incident to recognize his heroism in saving 180 people.
The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia after a violent confrontation erupted inside the cockpit, triggering emergency procedures and concerns of a potential attack.
Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances of the cockpit confrontation, which reportedly involved an attack by the co-pilot and a suspected terror angle.
