FlyDubai captain tells India's leader how he saved himself and 173 others while fighting for his own life
FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar recounted his survival from a cockpit attack by his co-pilot during a video call from his hospital bed in Saudi Arabia with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Machchhar sustained multiple stab wounds during the assault on the Boeing 737 traveling from Dubai to Israel with more than 170 people on board. The injured Indian national stated that repeating Hindu religious chants and realizing the aircraft was descending gave him the final push to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to rush in and subdue the attacker before an emergency landing.
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- ✓ FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot on a flight heading to Israel from Dubai.
- ✓ The flight was carrying 182 people and was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing.
- ✓ Machchhar spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an emotional video call from his hospital bed in Saudi Arabia.
- ✓ Machchhar sustained multiple stab wounds during the cockpit assault.
What changed
Captain Smit Machchhar described his harrowing survival story directly to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his hospital bed in Saudi Arabia.
Live updates
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FlyDubai Captain Recalls Cockpit Attack to Indian PM
FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar recounted his survival from a cockpit attack by his co-pilot during a video call from his hospital bed in Saudi Arabia with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Machchhar sustained multiple stab wounds during the assault on the Boeing 737 traveling from Dubai to Israel with more than 170 people on board. The injured Indian national stated that repeating Hindu religious chants and realizing the aircraft was descending gave him the final push to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to rush in and subdue the attacker before an emergency landing.
Why it matters
The incident involved a flight from Dubai to Israel carrying 182 people that required an emergency diversion to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero for fighting off the violent assault and preventing an apparent hijacking. Israeli officials plan to question the co-pilot involved in the attack, while investigators actively seek a motive.
What is confirmed
- FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot on a flight heading to Israel from Dubai.
- The flight was carrying 182 people and was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing.
- Machchhar spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an emotional video call from his hospital bed in Saudi Arabia.
- Machchhar sustained multiple stab wounds during the cockpit assault.
- Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and subdue the co-pilot.
Still unconfirmed
- Israeli officials are scheduled to question the co-pilot of the FlyDubai flight.
What to watch next
- Results from Israeli officials questioning the co-pilot
- Investigators releasing findings regarding the motive for the cockpit attack
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (11)
- The New York Times — Investigators Seek Motive for FlyDubai Cockpit Attack
- www.cnn.com — Captain Smit Machchhar: The ‘jovial’ pilot and father who ...
- CNN — ‘I couldn’t let everybody else die,’ says hero Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar
- CBS News — FlyDubai captain tells India's leader how he saved himself and 173 others while fighting for his own life
- Reuters — Israeli officials to question co-pilot of flydubai flight, source says
- foxnews.com — Hero FlyDubai pilot says he was 'fighting for my life' as plane plunged after copilot attack
- www.theguardian.com — ‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls flydubai cockpit attack | Flydubai ....
- www.military.com — ‘I Was Fighting for My Life’: Indian Pilot Hailed as Hero ...
- www.cbsnews.com — FlyDubai captain tells India's leader how he saved himself ...
- www.worldnewsservice.online — FlyDubai captain tells India's leader how he saved himself ...
- abcnews.com — FlyDubai captain describes fight for his life after cockpit ...
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