Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed Indian Flydubai captain Smit Machhar as a ‘true hero’ after he fought back against his co-pilot, who allegedly stabbed him and attempted to take control of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight in what Israeli authorities described as an attempt to crash the aircraft.
Machchhar was seriously injured during the mid-air confrontation aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday, but managed to resist the attacker and open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene.
The aircraft, carrying 174 people, eventually made an emergency landing at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, with all passengers reported safe.
‘He saved the lives of 174 people’
Netanyahu paid tribute to the Indian captain in a post on X, saying Machhar showed ‘extraordinary bravery’ despite being stabbed and seriously injured.
‘My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machhar for his extraordinary bravery,’ Netanyahu said, according to reports.
The Israeli PM said Machhar fought back, resisted the attacker and opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot and prevent what he described as a ‘catastrophic mid-air disaster’.
‘He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals,’ Netanyahu said, adding that Machhar was a ‘true hero’ and wishing him a speedy recovery.
Plane plunged thousands of feet
The incident unfolded after FZ1073 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv. According to flight-tracking data cited by Reutersthe aircraft underwent a dramatic descent after the confrontation in the cockpit, dropping nearly 14,000 feet in about 30 seconds.
Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed Machchhar and then attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s controls. P
Messengers and crew members moved towards the cockpit after realizing something was wrong and helped overpower the attacker.
Once the attacker was subdued, other Flydubai pilots who were traveling as passengers were able to help stabilize the aircraft. The plane was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely.
Reports said Machchhar, despite being badly injured, was able to open the cockpit door before passengers entered.
A spokesperson for Netanyahu later said the captain used what remained of his strength to release the cockpit door, allowing passengers to reach the flight deck and confront the attacker.
Captain injured, attacker arrested
Both pilots were taken to hospital following the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was reported to be in stable condition after receiving medical treatment.
The alleged attacker was arrested by Saudi authorities. Israeli officials identified him as an Omani national, although the investigation into the incident and its motive is continuing.
The incident prompted an emergency response after the aircraft transmitted an alert and diverted to Tabuk.
Israeli authorities had initially feared a possible hijacking and scrambled fighter jets as the aircraft was heading towards Israel.
The passengers were later flown from Tabuk to Tel Aviv on a Flydubai rescue flight and arrived at Ben Gurion Airport, where Netanyahu met at least one of the passengers who had helped overpower the attacker.
Flydubai urges against speculation
While Israeli officials have described the incident as an attempted bid to crash the aircraft, Flydubai has been more cautious in its public statement.
The airline confirmed that the aircraft experienced an ‘in-flight altercation’ and said it was safely secured and diverted by Flydubai crew members traveling on the flight.
‘All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for,’ the airline said.
Flydubai also said that the underlying reasons and motives behind the incident were not yet known and remained subject to a formal investigation.
It urged all parties to avoid premature speculation while authorities establish what happened.
The dramatic episode has nevertheless placed Captain Smit Machhar at the center of international attention, with Netanyahu publicly crediting the Indian pilot and the passengers who intervened with helping prevent a potentially catastrophic outcome.