Indian PM hails ‘hero’ flydubai pilot for averting disaster
Narendra Modi says that despite being seriously injured, Indian pilot Smit Machchhar showed courage to protect passengers on the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
Captain Smit Machchhar, a veteran Boeing 737 pilot with Dubai-based flydubai, has been hailed as a hero following a frightening security incident on flight FZ1073. The incident occurred on September 30, 2023, when the aircraft was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Machchhar, who was in command of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying about 174 passengers and crew, was stabbed by the co-pilot during an altercation on the flight deck.
Despite his severe injuries, Machchhar activated the cockpit door release, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the alleged attacker. The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it safely landed. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Machchhar a hero, crediting him with averting a potential disaster.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the captain and passengers for preventing a catastrophe.
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- 'What A Hero': Israelis Hail Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar After Flydubai Attack freepressjournal.in
- Who is Captain Smit Machchhar? Dubai-based flydubai pilot hailed as hero after cockpit attack gulfnews.com
- Indian PM hails ‘hero’ flydubai pilot for averting disaster freemalaysiatoday.com
- Indian PM hails 'hero' Flydubai pilot for averting disaster lemonde.fr
- Who is Smit Machchhar? ‘Hero’ Indian pilot who thwarted flydubai flight crash attempt hindustantimes.com
