During a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Indian Captain Smit Machchhar found himself on the ground as a co‑pilot violently attacked him on board.
Although he was injured and lying on a floor, Machchhar forced himself to effort to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and flight crew to step in and take control of the emergency.
In a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he described a rapid descent that was halted by his intervention and the collective efforts of other crew members who helped prevent a catastrophic crash.
The aircraft diverted to Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar was taken first to a hospital in Tabuk before being air‑lifted to Abu Dhabi for further medical care.
Modi praised the pilot’s “courage, patience and quick decision‑making”, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed him a “true hero”. The Indian embassy in the UAE confirmed that Machchhar was in good health and recovering well.
Investigation into the attack continues, with aviation authorities reviewing cockpit security procedures amid growing concerns over crew safety.
