Indian pilot’s courage saves flight en route to Israel
Smit Machchhar, the captain of a Flydubai flight bound for Israel, has told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he was on the ground and still being attacked by his co‑pilot when the aircraft began an uncontrolled descent. Facing imminent loss of all on board, the injured captain made a "last push" to unlock the cockpit door, allowing other crew members to enter and help stabilise the aircraft.
In a video conference with the Prime Minister, Machchhar described how he lay on the floor bruised, yet realised that he could act before the situation spiralled further. He added, "I was fighting for my own life, but I could not let others die." His actions prompted an emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia, where he received initial treatment in Tabuk before air‑lifting him to Abu Dhabi, where he now remains in a stable condition.
Prime Minister Modi lauded the pilot’s courage, saying that his "quick decision‑making saved the lives of so many people" and that the entire nation was proud of him. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also called Machchhar a "true hero." The Indian embassy in the UAE has reported that he is "in good health and recovering well," adding that the ambassador was proud of his bravery.
The incident is still unfolding, with aviation authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding the co‑pilot’s attack and the subsequent emergency procedures. It raises significant questions about crew conducting disputes, cockpit security protocols and the overall safety measures in international air travel.
