Indian pilot Smit Machchhar hailed after foiling flydubai cockpit attack
Israeli leaders have praised Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, after he was stabbed and seriously injured in the cockpit of a flydubai flight and still helped prevent what Israeli officials described as an attempt by his co-pilot to crash the aircraft. The flight, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog and other leaders wished Machchhar a speedy recovery, while the Indian Embassy in the UAE said he is in good health and recovering well. The aircraft later landed safely in Saudi Arabia, where authorities took the co-pilot into custody.
According to Israeli statements, Machchhar was attacked inside the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073. Netanyahu said, "Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker - preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster." He added, "My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery," and said Machchhar saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. "I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery. He is a true hero," Netanyahu said.
Herzog also thanked Machchhar and said that, "with his last strength, opened the cockpit door and enabled the neutralisation of the terrorist". In a post on X, he wrote, "To Captain Smith Machchhar - thank you from the bottom of my heart for the bravery, determination, and actions that saved many lives. I wish you a full recovery and strong health. The State of Israel extends immense gratitude to you." Herzog also said he would recommend awarding the President's Medal for Civilian Bravery to four passengers who, he said, showed extraordinary courage in an impossible situation.
Israel's Foreign Ministry called Machchhar a hero and said the efforts of the Indian pilot, Israeli passengers and Emirati crew helped save all those onboard. In its statement, it said, "Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian captain of flydubai Flight 1073, fought back after being stabbed in the cockpit. Despite being severely injured, he managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing Israeli passengers and the Emirati crew to intervene and save all the passengers." It added, "Together, their extraordinary courage saved 174 lives. Indian. Israeli. Emirati. Different nationalities. One extraordinary act of courage. We wish Captain Machchhar a full and speedy recovery."
Videos circulating on social media showed the pilot covered in blood, wearing an oxygen mask and lying on his back in the aircraft galley. The Indian Embassy in the UAE said on Thursday that Ambassador Deepak Mittal visited Machchhar and his family at the hospital. "Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well," the mission said in a social media post. It is understood that he was moved to the UAE a day after being admitted to a hospital in Tabuk in northwest Saudi Arabia for medical treatment. "The Embassy remains in close coordination with local authorities to ensure his continued medical care and well-being," it added.
Several other Israeli leaders also praised Machchhar. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said Israelis were praying for the "brave Indian pilot" who fought off his co-pilot's mid-air attack. Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon called him a "true hero". Former Israeli Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson Yossi Zilberman said Machchhar's courage and determination, along with that of Israeli and Emirati passengers and crew, helped save lives. Israeli politician Almog Cohen called him Israel's "hero of the day" and said he would propose naming a lounge at Ben Gurion Airport after him when the next Knesset convenes.
Earlier, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had said the incident on board the plane "was a jihadist terrorist attack attempt, which was thwarted only thanks to the bravery of several Israeli passengers who broke into the cockpit and overpowered the terrorist". The aircraft had transmitted emergency signals on Wednesday and made a sharp descent of more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk. The incident has drawn attention in Israel and India, with officials highlighting Machchhar's actions, the role of passengers and crew, and his ongoing recovery.
