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Hero Pilot Saves Flydubai Plane from Crash After Co-Pilot Attack; Hailed by Netanyahu, Trump
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Firstpost•01-10-2026, 06:14
Hero Pilot Saves Flydubai Plane from Crash After Co-Pilot Attack; Hailed by Netanyahu, Trump
- •Indian pilot Smit Machchhar saved 180 passengers on a flydubai flight after being stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash the aircraft.
- •The struggle caused the jet to plunge nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds before Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door.
- •Passengers and crew overpowered the attacker, allowing a second pair of flydubai pilots on board to land the jet safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump praised Machchhar's extraordinary bravery, calling him a "true hero."
- •Machchhar is receiving medical attention in Tabuk and is reported to be stable; flydubai has suspended flights to Israel pending an investigation into the incident.
Key Questions Answered
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero by leaders including Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump for saving nearly 180 passengers on a flydubai flight after being stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged crash attempt.
Despite being seriously injured and covered in blood, Machchhar managed to click the release to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and enabling a second pair of pilots to land the jet safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Captain Machchhar is receiving necessary medical attention at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where he is reported to be stable while the Indian embassy remains in touch with his family.
