Flydubai latest: Indian pilot who fought off apparent hijack attempt hailed a hero as passengers describe terror onboard
An Indian pilot is being hailed as a hero after fighting off an apparent hijack attempt by his co-pilot on an Israel-bound Flydubai flight carrying more than 170 people. Captain Smit Machchhar opened the cockpit door after being stabbed, allowing passengers and off-duty personnel to subdue the attacker during a terrifying plunge. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the group prevented another 9/11. The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia. Security teams are investigating whether the incident constitutes terrorist activity, and officials revealed the suspect was previously identified as a security risk.
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- ✓ An Israel-bound Flydubai flight carrying more than 170 people was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an attack in the cockpit.
- ✓ Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot during the flight.
- ✓ Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and off-duty pilots to subdue the attacker and land safely.
- ✓ The co-pilot who allegedly attacked the captain is an Omani national who was previously suspended by Oman Air as a security risk.
What changed
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video call with Captain Smit Machchhar on Friday to discuss the cockpit attack.
Live updates
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Indian Pilot Hailed as Hero After Flydubai Cockpit Attack
An Indian pilot is being hailed as a hero after fighting off an apparent hijack attempt by his co-pilot on an Israel-bound Flydubai flight carrying more than 170 people. Captain Smit Machchhar opened the cockpit door after being stabbed, allowing passengers and off-duty personnel to subdue the attacker during a terrifying plunge. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the group prevented another 9/11. The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia. Security teams are investigating whether the incident constitutes terrorist activity, and officials revealed the suspect was previously identified as a security risk.
Why it matters
The violent mid-air confrontation aboard the commercial flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv triggered intense international scrutiny over aviation security protocols. Authorities are examining the background of the co-pilot, an Omani national previously suspended by Oman Air as a security risk. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Captain Machchhar via video call following the harrowing incident.
What is confirmed
- An Israel-bound Flydubai flight carrying more than 170 people was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an attack in the cockpit.
- Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot during the flight.
- Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and off-duty pilots to subdue the attacker and land safely.
- The co-pilot who allegedly attacked the captain is an Omani national who was previously suspended by Oman Air as a security risk.
Still unconfirmed
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the group prevented another 9/11.
What to watch next
- Results of the security team investigation into whether the violence was linked to terrorism.
- Official disclosures regarding the co-pilot employment and security suspension history.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (13)
- Reuters — Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
- The New York Times — A Bloody Attack on a FlyDubai Plane Headed to Israel, and a Terrifying Plunge
- CNN — Flydubai latest: Indian pilot who fought off hijack attempt hailed a hero as passengers describe terror onboard
- BBC — Who is the 'hero' Indian pilot who was stabbed on Israel-bound flight?
- Financial Times — UAE investigates if Flydubai attack was ‘terrorist activity’
- www.foxnews.com — Hero FlyDubai pilot who fought back against attacker identified as Indian Capt Smit Machchhar
- www.cnn.com — Captain Smit Machchhar: The ‘jovial’ pilot and father who ...
- www.cnn.com — Flydubai latest: Indian pilot who fought off apparent hijack attempt hailed a hero as passengers describe....
- nypost.com — Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar fought off co-pilot who stabbed him during attempted hijacking to save passengers: ‘I was fighting for my life’
- www.theguardian.com — ‘Hero’ pilot, plumber and dentist among those who saved ...
- www.theguardian.com — ‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls flydubai cockpit attack | Flydubai ....
- www.chicagotribune.com — ‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls FlyDubai cockpit attack
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