Modi, Netanyahu Praise Indian Pilot After Flydubai Mid-Air Attack

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New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a hero after he prevented a serious catastrophe on a Flydubai flight headed for Tel Aviv. During the flight, Machchhar's co-pilot stabbed him, causing significant injuries.

The incident happened on Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The plane descended over 14,000 feet in less than a minute before passengers and crew intervened.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and overcome the attacker. Two off-duty Flydubai pilots who were among the passengers also assisted in bringing the aircraft under control before making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu commended Machchhar's ‘amazing bravery,’ saying his actions saved the lives of all 174 persons on the plane. Modi also lauded the Indian pilot, hailing him as a ‘hero’ and stating that his bravery helped prevent a huge disaster.

Machchhar, a Mumbai native and former SpiceJet pilot, has been a FlyDubai captain since 2022. Following the incident, he was brought to a hospital in Tabuk and reported to be in stable condition. The facts and motivation behind the cockpit attack are still under investigation.