Indian Pilot Recounts Heroic Actions After Mid-Air Attack
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Indian pilot Samit Machhar described saving 170 passengers after being stabbed by his co-pilot.
- The co-pilot is suspected of an "11 September-style terror attack."
- Passengers subdued the attacker, and professional pilots landed the plane.
- Israel requested to join the investigation into the incident.
- The UAE is reportedly displeased with Israeli accusations of terrorism before an investigation.
Samit Machhar, the pilot of a Flydubai flight, spoke publicly for the first time on October 2 from a hospital in the UAE, where he had been taken from Saudi Arabia. Machhar recounted to Indian Prime Minister that he sustained multiple injuries but forced himself to act, opening the cockpit door to save the 170 passengers aboard.
Indian media reported on October 1 that Machhar underwent emergency surgery in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after being stabbed by the co-pilot, an Omani national. Machhar's family traveled to Dubai from Mumbai, and the government of Gujarat announced it would award him a medal of distinction. The Omani co-pilot, suspected of an "11 September-style terror attack," was also transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE.
Israel has requested permission to participate in the investigation into the incident. The UAE has not yet responded but reportedly expressed displeasure with Israeli leaders' "categorical rhetoric" that the Omani pilot acted with "terrorist motives aimed at undermining the Abraham Accords" before an investigation concluded. An Israeli source indicated that the UAE leadership finds the term "terrorism" problematic, implying a lack of control, and prefers to be cautious about assigning motives.
The incident occurred on September 30 when the Boeing 737 MAX 8, flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, experienced a rapid loss of altitude and transmitted emergency signals. The plane diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, carrying 174 passengers, primarily Israelis, including 27 children. Reports suggest the Omani co-pilot attacked and stabbed Captain Machhar. Several passengers, hearing the struggle, entered the cockpit and subdued the attacker. Professional pilots among the passengers then managed the emergency landing. Four Israelis, Dr. Shota Musaev, Yaniv Hayon, Tsvika Manes, and Assaf Rajuana, were recognized for their bravery in helping to secure the aircraft.
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