Captain Smit Machchhar was reportedly stabbed by his co-pilot but fought back and opened the cockpit door, helping passengers and crew overpower the attacker. Netanyahu hailed him as a “true hero.”
A Dubai–Tel Aviv flight was seconds away from becoming a catastrophe.
Instead, an Indian pilot who had reportedly been stabbed in the cockpit fought back, helped open the cockpit door and gave passengers and crew a chance to intervene.
His name: Captain Smit Machchhar.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now publicly praised the Indian flydubai captain as a “true hero”, saying Machchhar’s actions helped prevent a major disaster and save 174 people aboard the flight.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when a violent confrontation reportedly broke out between the two pilots.
According to Israeli officials and passenger accounts cited by Reuters, the co-pilot attacked and stabbed Captain Machchhar.
The aircraft then went into a rapid descent — dropping more than 14,000 feet in around 30 seconds, according to flight-tracking data.
The aircraft also transmitted emergency signals, including the 7500 code associated with unlawful interference, triggering an initial hijack scare.
Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar reportedly managed to fight back and open the cockpit door.
That gave passengers and crew access to the cockpit.
Passengers then rushed forward and helped overpower the alleged attacker. A reserve flydubai crew member who was on board subsequently took control of the aircraft.
The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Both pilots were taken to hospital.
Netanyahu praised Machchhar directly, saying the Indian captain's bravery after being stabbed helped prevent a catastrophic mid-air disaster.
He said Machchhar “saved the lives of 174 people” and wished him a full recovery.
The Israeli prime minister also praised the passengers and crew who intervened during the crisis.
That's where the investigation gets complicated.
The incident initially triggered fears of a hijacking after the aircraft transmitted the 7500 emergency code.
Israeli officials later said preliminary information suggested the co-pilot may have attempted to crash the aircraft. Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz described the suspected attacker as having intended to crash the plane, while the investigation into the motive continues.
Flydubai, however, has cautioned against premature speculation and said the underlying reasons for the incident remain under investigation.
What began with a sudden plunge, a cockpit attack and emergency signals ended with the aircraft safely on the ground in Saudi Arabia.
And at the centre of the story is an injured Indian captain who, according to Israeli officials, kept fighting when he could have been overwhelmed — giving others the chance to take back control.
One cockpit. One attack. 174 lives at stake. And an Indian pilot who refused to give up.
