‘I couldn’t let everybody else die,’ says hero Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Pilot Smit Machchhar Recalls Cockpit Fight on FlyDubai Flight

   FlyDubai Captain Smit Machchhar states he fought off an assault by his copilot to prevent a disaster, saying he could not let everyone else die. Machchhar sustained injuries and spoke from a hospital bed in Abu Dhabi to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recounting how he opened the cockpit door while being attacked on the Tel Aviv-bound flight. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the pilot prevented another 9/11 during the Wednesday incident. The exact identity and motive of the attacker remain unknown.

   Why it matters

   The incident involved a violent confrontation inside the cockpit of FlyDubai flight FZ1073 en route to Israel. Political leaders have praised the pilot's intervention for averting a catastrophic suicide mission. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the cockpit altercation.

   What is confirmed

   • Smit Machchhar is the Flydubai captain who fought off an attack by his copilot during a flight to Israel.
   • Smit Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he opened the cockpit door while being attacked and fought for his life.
   • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the pilot prevented another 9/11.
   • The attacker's identity and motive remain unknown following the Wednesday incident.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The cockpit altercation was part of a planned 9/11-style plane hijacking and suicide mission.

   What to watch next

   • Official investigative findings regarding the copilot's identity and motive
   • Further statements from Flydubai or aviation security authorities
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. AP News — Attacker's identity and motive remain unknown after FlyDubai flight to Israel escapes disaster
   2. Fox News — Pilot on Tel Aviv-bound FlyDubai 'prevented another 9/11,' Netanyahu says
   3. CNN — ‘I couldn’t let everybody else die,’ says hero Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar
   4. BBC — I opened cockpit door of plane while being attacked, Indian pilot tells Modi
   5. ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 — ‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls FlyDubai cockpit attack
   6. billmuehlenberg.com — More on the FlyDubai Hijacking
   7. kesq.com — ‘I couldn’t let everybody else die,’ says hero Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar - KESQ
   8. www.cnn.com — Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar: I couldn’t let everybody else ...
   9. krdo.com — ‘I couldn’t let everybody else die,’ says hero Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar | KRDO
   10. www.dailymail.com — 'I couldn't let everyone else die': Hero flydubai pilot ...
   11. gulfnews.com — flydubai incident: Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Recalls ...
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