Hero Pilot Recalled After Foiling Hijacking Attempt

Captain Smit Mehre, who was injured while thwarting a hijacking attempt on a Flydubai flight, had spoken about the importance of cabin crew training in a podcast interview a year prior. Mehre, an Indian national, was attacked by his co-pilot who allegedly attempted to stab him and crash the plane. The co-pilot, from Oman, was subdued after a struggle, during which Mehre was injured. The aircraft was diverted and landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

In the resurfaced interview, Mehre emphasized that flight crews are trained to handle emergencies and can save lives, even if they aren't medical professionals. He expressed regret over how some passengers perceive cabin crew, stating, "It's sad to see how people look at the crew, but when things go wrong, you need them." He highlighted their crucial role in critical situations, adding, "I'm not saying they are trained to perform surgeries and things like that, but they can save your life."

The incident on the Flydubai flight saw the co-pilot allegedly stab Mehre and attempt to take control of the aircraft. Passengers and other crew members intervened, with the assistance of off-duty pilots on board, to regain control and ensure the safe landing in Saudi Arabia. Both pilots sustained injuries and received medical attention after landing. The passengers were later repatriated to Israel via a rescue flight, while the co-pilot was detained and is being investigated by Saudi authorities. Mehre joined Flydubai in June 2022, having previously worked for SpiceJet in India for nearly 11 years.