Indian pilot tells PM Modi he opened flydubai cockpit door during attack
Captain Smit Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a Friday video call that he opened the cockpit door during a mid-air attack to seek help. Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot during a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Passengers eventually tied up the suspect and treated the wounded pilot. The flight diverted to Tabuk. While a senior UAE official called the incident an act of terrorism, the attacker's identity and motives remain unknown. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the pilot prevented another 9/11.
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- ✓ Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- ✓ The aircraft diverted to Tabuk.
- ✓ Passengers tied up the suspect and provided medical treatment to the wounded pilot.
- ✓ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the pilot prevented another 9/11.
What changed
Captain Smit Machchhar detailed his efforts to open the cockpit door during a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Live updates
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Indian Pilot Recounts FlyDubai Cockpit Attack in Call With PM Modi
Captain Smit Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a Friday video call that he opened the cockpit door during a mid-air attack to seek help. Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot during a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Passengers eventually tied up the suspect and treated the wounded pilot. The flight diverted to Tabuk. While a senior UAE official called the incident an act of terrorism, the attacker's identity and motives remain unknown. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the pilot prevented another 9/11.
Why it matters
The incident occurred during a turbulent Israeli election season. International tensions have risen as Donald Trump warned Iran of strikes if Tehran was involved. The flight notably carried four pilots on board.
What is confirmed
- Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- The aircraft diverted to Tabuk.
- Passengers tied up the suspect and provided medical treatment to the wounded pilot.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the pilot prevented another 9/11.
- Captain Smit Machchhar spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video call on Friday.
Still unconfirmed
- Donald Trump warned Iran of fresh strikes if Tehran was involved in the incident.
What to watch next
- Results of the investigation into why four pilots were on the flight.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (24)
- AP News — Attacker's identity and motive remain unknown after FlyDubai flight to Israel escapes disaster
- Reuters — Israeli passenger says he knew what to do on flydubai plane after watching TV show
- Fox News — Pilot on Tel Aviv-bound FlyDubai 'prevented another 9/11,' Netanyahu says
- ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos — FlyDubai flight passenger details treating wounded pilot after tying up suspect
- CNN — ‘I couldn’t let everybody else die,’ says hero Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar
- Reuters — Indian pilot tells PM Modi he opened flydubai cockpit door during attack
- NBC News — ‘Couldn’t let all of them die’: Pilot attacked mid-air speaks for first time
- Yahoo News Canada — I opened cockpit door of plane while being attacked, says pilot of Dubai-Israel flight
- The New York Times — ‘I Couldn’t Let All of Them Die’: Pilot on FlyDubai Flight Recalls Sudden Attack
- timesofisrael.com — In first, senior UAE official calls flydubai plane incident an ‘act of terrorism’
- Al Jazeera — 12 minutes of madness: How Flydubai pilot, passengers saved plane midfall
- washingtonpost.com — FlyDubai attack adds tumult to already turbulent Israeli election season
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