Heroic Pilot Fights Off Attacker, Saves Passengers on Dubai Flight

A Flydubai pilot, Smit Machchhar, is being hailed as a hero after thwarting an attempted crash by his co-pilot, who allegedly stabbed him and tried to bring down the aircraft. The incident occurred as the plane, en route from Dubai, neared Israel. Machchhar, an Indian national with 15 years of aviation experience, sustained stab wounds, reportedly from an emergency axe in the cockpit, but managed to open the cockpit door. Israeli passengers and crew members then reportedly broke into the cockpit and subdued the attacker, identified as an Omani national, while he was attempting to sabotage the plane's systems. The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Passengers later arrived in Israel on a different Flydubai flight. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Machchhar's family, calling him a hero for his courage and determination to save lives. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also commended the passengers and crew for their bravery in neutralizing the attacker and preventing a disaster. Machchhar had previously spoken about the importance of cabin crew in saving lives during emergencies.