Flydubai Captain Stabbed Mid-Air Identified as Indian National
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Flydubai captain Smit Mehr was stabbed by his co-pilot.
- The co-pilot allegedly attempted to hijack the plane.
- The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia.
- Both pilots were hospitalized after the incident.
- Saudi authorities are investigating the co-pilot.
The identity of the Flydubai captain who was stabbed during a dramatic flight diversion to Saudi Arabia has been revealed as Smit Mehr, an Indian national. Mehr reportedly fought with the co-pilot, an Omani national, who allegedly attempted to hijack the aircraft. The incident occurred on a flight that was ultimately diverted to Saudi Arabia before continuing to its destination, Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, where passengers and crew returned safely.
According to sources speaking to India Today, the co-pilot stabbed Captain Mehr and then attempted to crash the plane. Passengers and other crew members intervened when the aircraft entered a spiral and began to dive, finding the co-pilot trying to gain control of the plane's systems. Mehr joined Flydubai as a captain in June 2022, having previously worked for SpiceJet for nearly 11 years. He is described as a Boeing 737 fleet expert with experience in safety and compliance, and also served as a mentor to other pilots.
Following the landing in Saudi Arabia, both pilots were evacuated to a hospital. Israeli officials identified the attacker as an Omani citizen. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a "most serious security event" and stated that Saudi authorities would investigate the co-pilot, who was arrested after the plane landed.
Read the original at N12Mentioned
