'I was not going to let others die' - pilot of Flydubai flight describes cockpit attack by co-pilot
News Source
โขFri, 02 Oct 2026 09:08:06 GMT
๐ฐ What Happened
Capt Smit Machchhar, the pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, described being stabbed by his co-pilot in mid-air. The plane plunged more than 17,000 feet two and a half hours into the journey. Injured and lying on the floor, Machchhar opened the cockpit door so passengers could help overpower the attacker. Two reserve pilots on board then landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
๐ The Backstory
The flight first sent an emergency signal, then switched to a hijacking code. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Machchhar a hero and said the attacker was an Omani national with signs of Islamist radicalisation. All onboard the Wednesday flight survived. Machchhar was treated in hospital before being airlifted to Abu Dhabi, where he is stable.
๐ฏ Why It Matters
The event shows how quickly air travel can turn dangerous and how brave crew and passengers can save lives.
Capt Smit Machchhar, the pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, described being stabbed by his co-pilot in mid-air. The plane plunged more than 17,000 feet two and a half hours into the journey. Injured and lying on the floor, Machchhar opened the cockpit door so passengers could help overpower the attacker. Two reserve pilots on board then landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
The flight first sent an emergency signal, then switched to a hijacking code. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Machchhar a hero and said the attacker was an Omani national with signs of Islamist radicalisation. All onboard the Wednesday flight survived. Machchhar was treated in hospital before being airlifted to Abu Dhabi, where he is stable.
The event shows how quickly air travel can turn dangerous and how brave crew and passengers can save lives.