Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed for his bravery after an alleged attack inside a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot, who allegedly tried to crash the aircraft. Despite his injuries, Machchhar reportedly managed to open the cockpit door and helped passengers and crew overpower the attacker.
The Flydubai FZ1073 flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children. The aircraft made a sharp descent before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Flydubai confirmed that an in-flight “altercation” took place and said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for. The airline said the reasons and motives behind the incident remain unknown and are under investigation.
Saudi authorities arrested the pilot involved in the stabbing and are questioning him, according to Netanyahu.
Machchhar and the first officer were taken to a hospital for treatment. Passengers later returned to Tel Aviv on a rescue flight.
