Flydubai Captain Hailed as ‘True Hero’ After Mid-Air Stabbing
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar as a “true hero” after he was reportedly stabbed by his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Machchhar, an Indian national, was seriously injured but reportedly managed to fight back and open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and restrain the attacker.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8, carrying 174 people, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the aircraft experienced a dramatic loss of altitude.
Passengers and additional crew members helped secure the cockpit, and the aircraft landed safely. No passenger deaths were reported.
The co-pilot was arrested by Saudi authorities and remains under investigation. His motive has not been established.
Flydubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Israel while authorities investigate the incident, urging against premature speculation until the facts are established.