Hero Pilot Recalled After Foiling Mid-Air Attack
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Captain Smit Mehr was injured foiling co-pilot's attack on Flydubai flight.
- Mehr previously highlighted cabin crew's life-saving training in interviews.
- Passengers and crew helped regain control after the co-pilot's alleged assault.
- The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia where both pilots were treated.
- Israeli passengers were later flown back to Israel.
Captain Smit Mehr, who was injured while thwarting an attack by his co-pilot on a Flydubai flight, had spoken about the importance of cabin crew training in a podcast interview a year prior. The interview resurfaced following the incident where the co-pilot allegedly attempted to stab Mehr and crash the plane. Mehr, an Indian national, recounted how flight crews are trained to handle emergencies and save lives, emphasizing their crucial role when things go wrong.
"When things go wrong, you need the crew," Mehr had stated in the interview. He expressed regret over how passengers sometimes perceive flight attendants but stressed their life-saving capabilities in critical situations. "I'm not saying they are trained to perform surgery, but they can save your life," he explained.
The incident on the flight, which was carrying Israeli passengers, saw the co-pilot allegedly stab Mehr and attempt to take control of the aircraft. The plane began to dive, but passengers and crew members intervened. With the help of other pilots on board, they managed to regain control and divert the flight to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Both pilots sustained injuries and received medical attention.
Mehr joined Flydubai in June 2022, having previously worked for SpiceJet in India for nearly 11 years. Following the landing in Saudi Arabia, the co-pilot was arrested and is currently under investigation. The passengers were later transferred to a rescue flight and returned to Israel.
Read the original at N12
