Stories
Hero Pilot Saves 174 Lives After Mid-Air Stabbing Incident on Flydubai Flight
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Moneycontrol•02-10-2026, 10:25
Hero Pilot Saves 174 Lives After Mid-Air Stabbing Incident on Flydubai Flight
- •Mumbai-born flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar was severely injured after being stabbed by a fellow pilot during a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight carrying 174 passengers.
- •The aircraft plunged nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds in an apparent attempt to crash it.
- •Despite severe injuries and significant blood loss, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew, including a dentist and an off-duty pilot, to overpower the attacker.
- •The plane was stabilized and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Machchhar underwent surgery and is in stable condition.
- •Machchhar's heroic actions were praised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, preventing a major tragedy.
Key Questions Answered
A flydubai pilot was allegedly stabbed by a fellow pilot while carrying 174 passengers, causing the aircraft to plunge nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Despite suffering severe injuries and significant blood loss, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door so passengers and crew could enter and overpower the attacker.
A dentist and an off-duty pilot assisted in restraining the attacker and helping regain control of the aircraft, which eventually landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
