Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been praised for his courage after a violent incident aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid tribute to Machchhar, saying he fought back despite being stabbed and seriously injured. Netanyahu said the captain opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and avert a catastrophic mid-air disaster. He credited Machchhar with saving 174 lives, including Israeli citizens and passengers of other nationalities, and wished him a full recovery.
The flight made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Flydubai confirmed that an altercation had taken place in the flight deck and said all passengers were safe and accounted for. The airline added that the aircraft was secured by Flydubai crew who were travelling on the flight. The motives behind the incident remain under investigation.
According to accounts reported by Reuters, the injured captain managed to release the cockpit door, after which passengers entered and helped subdue the co-pilot. Two other Flydubai pilots who were on board as passengers then took control of the aircraft and landed it safely in Tabuk. The accounts underline how the captain’s actions and the response from people on board combined to help bring the emergency under control.
India’s Embassy in Saudi Arabia said Machchhar was receiving medical care at a hospital in Tabuk and was reported to be in stable condition.
The incident brought together people from different countries in a moment of crisis: an Indian captain, Israeli passengers and Flydubai crew working to protect everyone aboard. Their quick response helped ensure the aircraft reached the ground safely, with all passengers accounted for.
Netanyahu called Machchhar a true hero. As he recovers, messages of support are reaching the captain whose courage helped prevent a tragedy. We wish him a full and speedy recovery.
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