'Braveheart' flydubai pilot recovering well after cockpit axe attack, Indian embassy says

A flydubai pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, is recovering well after being attacked by his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to the Indian embassy in the UAE. The incident occurred on Wednesday, when the co-pilot struck Capt Machchhar with a crash axe, causing the plane to plummet thousands of feet. However, Capt Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to help steer the Boeing 737 to safety in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

A group of passengers and a reserve pilot overpowered the co-pilot, steadying the plane and landing it safely. Capt Machchhar is currently receiving medical care at a hospital in Abu Dhabi. The Indian embassy praised him for his bravery, stating that he remains in excellent medical care and is recovering well. The embassy also expressed gratitude towards the UAE government for their support.

Capt Machchhar had a brief conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recounting his ordeal and expressing his determination to keep flying. The UAE's attorney general revealed that the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist act, using a crash axe as typically kept in the cockpit for emergencies. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances and motives behind the incident.