The leaders of Israel and India have called Indian pilot Smith Machhar a hero, after he was able to resist the flydubai second pilot who stabbed him and help the aircraft land safely.
On 30 September the aircraft flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv changed course, giving a general emergency signal. Later the aircraft landed at the “Tabuk” airport in Saudi Arabia. It emerged that the second pilot had stabbed the pilot, during which the aircraft began to lose altitude sharply.
The spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Machhar, completely bloodied, was found on the floor of the aircraft when he was able to press the button to open the cockpit door. That allowed the passengers and crew to neutralize the second pilot, while the two other flydubai pilots aboard the aircraft were able to land the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia.
“My greetings to Indian pilot, Captain Smith Machhar, for the exceptional courage he showed.
Despite being stabbed and seriously wounded, he resisted, fought, opened the cockpit door and enabled the passengers and crew to neutralize the attacker, preventing a possible disaster in the air. He saved the lives of 174 people, including citizens of Israel and other countries. He is a true hero,” Netanyahu wrote on the X social network, wishing Machhar a speedy recovery.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Machhar in a post published on X, calling him a “hero”.
“In conditions of the gravest danger, despite serious injuries, he showed true bravery and unwavering determination to protect the lives of others. His courage helped save the lives of hundreds of people and prevent a great tragedy,” Modi wrote.
