Indian Pilot Hailed as Hero After Thwarting Alleged Flydubai Hijacking Attempt
Thestandard · 3 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi both hailed Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a hero on Friday after he survived a stabbing attack by his co-pilot and saved 174 passengers from a potential disaster aboard a Flydubai flight. The incident occurred on Wednesday when the Boeing 737-800, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, experienced a dramatic plunge of nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds after the co-pilot allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft. Despite being seriously injured and covered in blood on the cockpit floor, Machchhar managed to release the cockpit door mechanism, allowing passengers and crew to enter and restrain the attacker. Two other Flydubai pilots who were on board then safely landed the jet in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Key Points
- The Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was carrying 174 passengers when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to crash the aircraft on Wednesday
- The Boeing 737 plunged nearly 14,000 feet (4,267 metres) in less than 30 seconds before Machchhar opened the cockpit door while covered in blood
- Prime Minister Modi described Machchhar as showing "immense courage and unwavering resolve" in a post on X, stating he helped save hundreds of lives
- Machchhar spoke to Modi in a televised video call from an Abu Dhabi hospital, saying: "I knew the aircraft was going down... I told myself the door is right there, just open it"
- The pilot, who hails from Mumbai and has 17 years of flying experience with 11 years as captain, underwent surgery and is reported to be in stable condition
Why It Matters
This incident exposes potential security vulnerabilities in cockpit access protocols and highlights the extraordinary courage required from flight crew under life-threatening circumstances. The successful intervention prevented what could have been one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history, with world leaders united in praising the heroic actions that saved 174 lives including Israeli citizens and other nationals .
This incident exposes potential security vulnerabilities in cockpit access protocols and highlights the extraordinary courage required from flight crew under life-threatening circumstances. The successful intervention prevented what could have been one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent history, with world leaders united in praising the heroic actions that saved 174 lives including Israeli citizens and other nationals .