Netanyahu praises stabbed Indian pilot for saving lives on Flydubai flight

Live updates

1. 3h ago

   Netanyahu and Modi Praise Indian Pilot After Flydubai Cockpit Attack

   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have hailed Captain Smit Machchhar as a hero after he thwarted a co-pilot's attempt to crash Flydubai flight FZ1073. Machchhar was stabbed during a violent struggle in the cockpit of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, which caused the aircraft to lose altitude and plunge. The captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to subdue the attacker before the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, saving 174 people on board.

   Why it matters

   The incident is described as a crew-related hijacking attempt where a pilot tried to crash a passenger jet. It highlights rare security vulnerabilities within the cockpit during flight. Saudi authorities have arrested the second pilot involved in the struggle.

   What is confirmed

   • Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot during a struggle in the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073.
   • The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, began a steep descent and lost altitude during the attack.
   • Captain Machchhar unlocked the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to subdue the attacker.
   • The flight diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, for an emergency landing.
   • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited Machchhar with saving the lives of 174 people.
   • Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machchhar to praise his courage and wish him a speedy recovery.

   Still unconfirmed

   • An Israeli father claimed in an interview that he ran toward the cockpit to stop a hijacking.
   • The identity of the second pilot has not yet been confirmed.

   What to watch next

   • Details regarding the legal proceedings against the attacker in Saudi Arabia.
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. Reuters — Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
   2. The New York Times — Clash Between Pilots Prompts Distress Signal on Flight From Dubai to Tel Aviv: Live Updates
   3. The Free Press — ‘I Ran Toward the Cockpit’: An Exclusive Interview with the Israeli Dad Who Stopped a Hijacking
   4. Al Jazeera — Netanyahu praises stabbed Indian pilot for saving lives on Flydubai flight
   5. AP News — Pilot attempts to crash plane bound for Tel Aviv in latest example of a crew-related hijacking
   6. www.aol.com — Who is the 'hero' Indian pilot who was stabbed on Israel-bound flight?
   7. www.foxnews.com — Hero FlyDubai pilot says he was 'fighting for my life' as plane plunged after copilot attack
   8. www.nbcnewyork.com — ‘I was fighting for my life': Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls FlyDubai cockpit attack
   9. news24online.com — PM Modi speaks to ‘hero’ Indian pilot Smit Machchhar after Flydubai cockpit stabbing, praises his courage - Watch video
   10. newsable.asianetnews.com — Indian Captain's Heroics Thwart Co-Pilot's Bid to Crash Flydubai Jet
   11. www.yahoo.com — Netanyahu praises stabbed Indian pilot for saving lives on Flydubai flight
   12. jamaicainquirer.com — Netanyahu praises stabbed Indian pilot for saving lives on Flydubai flight - Jamaica Inquirer – Daily J....
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