During the early hours of Tuesday, a Flydubai flight headed for Tel Aviv from Dubai suffered an unexpected violent attack. An assailant, believed to be a national of Oman, used a knife to stab co‑pilot Smit Machchhar while the aircraft was descending to 17000 ft. The incident triggered the aircraft’s emergency transponder code of 7500, indicating a hijacking.
Despite severe injuries, Machchhar managed to push the cockpit door open so that other crew members and passengers could help subdue the attacker. Passengers, together with reserve pilots on board, seized the moment to restrain the assailant.
The aircraft then diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely at 06:58 local time. Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk before being airlifted to Abu Dhabi; medical reports say he is stable.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the attacker had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination" and claimed the attack was an attempt to crash the plane. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar as a hero, citing his courage and quick decision making that saved many lives.
The United Arab Emirates has opened an inquiry into whether the incident was linked to terrorist activity. Authorities are also investigating the motive behind the assailant’s actions after he reportedly shouted instructions to the crew that indicated he was suicidal.
Social media across India has flooded with support for Machchhar. Messages celebrate his bravery and call for comprehensive investigations to prevent future incidents in aviation.
