Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero after fighting off a knife attack by his co-pilot aboard a flydubai flight to Israel and helping prevent a mid-air disaster.

The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying around 180 passengers.

According to Israeli officials and passengers, the co-pilot attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit over Saudi Arabia, and the aircraft entered a steep descent. Despite serious stab wounds, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and overpower the attacker.

An off-duty pilot then helped land the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said Machchhar was in stable condition after surgery.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Machchhar “a true hero”, saying he saved 174 lives. The co-pilot’s motive is under investigation, and flydubai has suspended its Israel services for six days.

Officials have not independently confirmed every detail of the incident, and the probe is continuing.