New Delhi: Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed for his bravery after he reportedly fought off his co-pilot during a mid-air cockpit confrontation on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, helping prevent a potentially catastrophic incident.
The flight, carrying 174 passengers, was forced to make an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar and attempted to take control of the aircraft, according to reports.
The confrontation inside the cockpit turned violent, with Machchhar sustaining stab wounds. Despite his injuries, the Indian captain fought back and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty pilots on board to intervene and overpower the alleged attacker.
The aircraft was subsequently brought to safety at Tabuk, with all 174 people on board reported to have survived the incident.
Videos from after the emergency landing showed passengers praising the injured captain for his actions. Machchhar, who was reportedly bloodied and struggling to speak, was thanked by passengers who credited him with saving the aircraft.
Machchhar is currently recovering in a hospital in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh is following his condition, while flydubai is understood to be in contact with his family and Indian authorities.
In a post on X, the embassy said: “Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today. He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary medical attention.”
It added: “A full update on his health is awaited but he is reported to be in stable condition. We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest. We are in touch with his family and assure them that we will continue to follow up on his health with Saudi authorities and extend all possible assistance for his wellbeing.”
Machchhar has been working with flydubai for the past four years. Before joining the UAE-based low-cost carrier, he spent 10 years with SpiceJet.
The incident has also drawn international attention. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s actions, describing his response as extraordinary bravery and saying that the pilot’s actions prevented a catastrophic mid-air disaster.
Netanyahu said Machchhar’s actions helped save the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and passengers of other nationalities, and wished the Indian pilot a speedy and full recovery.
In a post on X, he said: “My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery. Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker – preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster. He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero.”
US President Donald Trump also said he had spoken with Netanyahu about the incident. He said the motive behind the alleged attack remained unclear.
The incident is now under investigation by flydubai, while Machchhar continues to recover from his injuries.
