Indian pilot stabbed on Tel Aviv-bound flight praised for averting disaster
An Indian pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, was stabbed by another pilot on a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv on Wednesday and has been praised internationally for preventing a potential catastrophe. The attack forced the aircraft to divert to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar was hospitalised but is reported to be in good health and recovering well. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian officials have hailed him as a "true hero" whose courage likely saved lives.
Machchhar, who is from Mumbai, was attacked whilst on duty flying an aircraft carrying at least 150 passengers, with Netanyahu stating he saved the lives of 174 people. The pilot has over 9,750 hours of flying experience and joined Dubai-based Flydubai in 2022 after working as a commercial pilot for Indian airline SpiceJet. Former colleagues describe him as disciplined and exceptionally trained in handling emergencies, with his previous employer SpiceJet calling him a "hero" who had saved "countless lives".
- Stabbed pilot prevented potential catastrophe and saved 174 lives on board
- Captain Smit Machchhar from Mumbai hailed as hero by Israeli and Indian leaders
- Experienced pilot with 9,750 plus flying hours joined Flydubai in 2022
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A Flydubai commercial aircraft flying towards Tel Aviv experienced a mid-flight attack when one pilot stabbed another pilot who was at the controls. The plane, carrying over 150 passengers, made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident created an extremely perilous situation, as maintaining control of the aircraft was essential to prevent catastrophe.
The stabbed pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar from Mumbai, successfully prevented the situation from becoming a disaster. He has over 9,750 hours of flying experience and worked for Indian airline SpiceJet before joining Flydubai in 2022. His former colleagues describe him as exceptionally trained and disciplined in handling emergency situations.
The incident has drawn significant international attention and praise for the pilot. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian officials have commended Machchhar's actions, with his previous employer SpiceJet also calling him a hero. The attack has sparked broader discussion about the security and safety procedures necessary on commercial aircraft.
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Originally published by BBC World as “Who is the ‘hero’ Indian pilot who was stabbed on Israel-bound flight?”.