FlyDubai Pilot Thwarts Attempted Crash of Tel Aviv Flight

Captain Smit Machchhar prevented a Boeing 737 from crashing during a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. After being stabbed by his co-pilot, Machchhar witnessed the aircraft plunge nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Despite his injuries, he opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to enter and restrain the attacker.

A second pair of pilots on board took control of the aircraft and performed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The attacker, an Omani national, was arrested by Saudi authorities, though his motives remain unclear. Reports on the number of people on board varied between 174 and 182.

Following the incident, commercial travel between the United Arab Emirates and Israel was suspended, and Israel began repatriation flights for stranded passengers. On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video call with Machchhar to praise his bravery. Machchhar was treated for his wounds at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.