In brief
When a co‑pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar on a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, the Indian captain endured injury but managed to open the cockpit door from inside. Passengers then overpowered the assailant, while reserve pilots safely landed the aircraft at Tabuk Airport. The incident, investigated by UAE authorities, has drawn praise from Indian officials and the Prime Minister for Machchhar’s bravery and quick thinking.
In a harrowing incident on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co‑pilot while the aircraft was descending toward 5,200 metres. Despite being injured and lying on the floor, Machchhar forced the cockpit door open, giving crew and passengers the chance to counterattack and subdue the attacker.
The assailant, identified as an Omani national with alleged Islamist radical indoctrination, was held by passengers until reserve pilots could land the 170‑passenger aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia at 06:58 local time.
After being transported to a hospital in Tabuk and then air‑lifted to Abu Dhabi, the captain was reported to be in stable condition. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar’s courage, saying his “quick decision‑making saved thousands of lives.” The United Arab Emirates is investigating whether the attack linked to terrorism. Meanwhile, Indian officials hail Machchhar as a national hero for his composure under fire.
