Trump calls injured Flydubai captain a hero after emergency landing
US President Donald Trump praised Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar after a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia following a reported cockpit altercation. The details remain under investigation.
US President Donald Trump hailed Indian captain Smit Machchhar of a Flydubai aircraft as a hero following a mid-air incident where the captain, injured and stabbed by the co-pilot, managed to open the cockpit door. Trump recounted the incident during a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who cautioned that the account had not been independently verified.
Trump described the pilot's actions as "amazing," stating that the captain opened the solid steel door from the inside, screamed, and eventually pulled the attacker from the seat. Passengers and crew intervened, and a plumber took control of the plane before it crashed due to structural damage. Trump noted that the motive for the co-pilot's actions was not established, adding that the story he received was "the craziest thing."
The flight, bound for Israel from Dubai, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and the passengers later continued their journey on another aircraft.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 2 other outlets
- Indian pilot hailed as ‘hero’ after stabbing attack in Flydubai cockpit malaymail.com
- Flydubai hero pilot Smit Machchhar to be awarded ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ timesofindia.indiatimes.com
