Indian pilot hailed a hero after mid-air cockpit attack
An Indian pilot has been hailed a hero after a violent attack inside the cockpit of a Flydubai flight on September 30. Captain Smit Machchhar was reportedly stabbed by a co-pilot during the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.
Flight FZ1073, carrying about 174 passengers, mostly Israelis, plunged from around 33,000 feet to about 17,000 feet as the struggle unfolded. Passengers and crew overpowered the attacker.
An Israeli passenger, plumber Yaniv Hayun, was among those who intervened. The wounded captain used his remaining strength to help regain control, according to reports.
The Boeing 737 MAX diverted safely to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Israel scrambled fighter jets after emergency signals raised hijacking fears. The captain was reported stable after surgery.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised those who intervened. The UAE has opened an investigation into the motive and any terror link. Flydubai suspended its Israel flights.
US President Donald Trump suggested Iran’s IRGC could have been behind the attack. Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot.
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