NEW DELHI — FlyDubai Capt. Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero in India after he fought back during a mid-flight stabbing attack inside the cockpit, managed to open the cockpit door so passengers could help restrain the attacker, and got the aircraft with 182 people aboard to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, according to the Associated Press.
The Indian captain was stabbed by his co-pilot during the flight. Despite his injuries, Machchhar battled the attacker and unlocked the reinforced cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and subdue the man while the plane was diverted, officials said. The attacker, an Omani national, was arrested by Israeli authorities after the aircraft landed.
Recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital, Machchhar spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video call, telling him he realized he had to get back on his feet to save the passengers. The captain has been widely praised in Indian media and by fellow pilots for extraordinary composure under a life-threatening attack in the cockpit.
Israeli officials said earlier the co-pilot had planned the attack before being hired by the airline. The investigation into the incident, one of the most serious cockpit attacks on a commercial flight in recent years, is continuing, with cooperation between Israeli, UAE, and Saudi authorities.
FlyDubai, a state-owned low-cost carrier based in Dubai, has not commented publicly on the captain’s condition. Aviation experts said the crew’s handling of the emergency — keeping control of the aircraft while a violent struggle unfolded in the cockpit — likely prevented a far greater catastrophe.
