Stories
Indian Captain Smit Machchhar Hailed as Hero for Averting Mid-Air Disaster on Flydubai Flight
- •Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, but fought back despite serious injuries.
- •Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and stabilize the aircraft.
- •The aircraft, flying at 34,000 feet, lost over 17,000 feet in less than two minutes before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landing safely.
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump praised Machchhar's extraordinary bravery, crediting him with saving 174 lives.
- •Machchhar is recovering in a hospital in Tabuk, with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh closely monitoring his condition and providing assistance.
Key Questions Answered
Despite being seriously injured after being allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Captain Smit Machchhar fought back and managed to open the cockpit door. This allowed passengers and crew to rush in, overpower the attacker, and stabilise the aircraft before it safely diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
Flight-tracking data showed that while flying at about 34,000 feet, the aircraft began to descend sharply and lost more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes during the mid-air attack.
Captain Machchhar was admitted to a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia to receive necessary medical attention and was reported to be in stable condition. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate in Jeddah are closely following his health and assisting his family.
