{
  "id": 11115307,
  "title": "'As long as you walk out of the aircraft safely – that’s what I want': flydubai hero pilot",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/as-long-as-you-walk-out-of-the-aircraft-safely-thats-what-i-want-11115307",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T04:51:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/01/as-long-as-you-walk-out-of-the-aircraft-safely-thats-what-i-want-flydubai-hero-pilot/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Smit Machchhar, the flydubai pilot who saved 174 lives by opening the cockpit door to overpower an assailant during flight FZ1073, has been hailed as a hero. Capt Machchhar, who joined flydubai four years ago after a decade with SpiceJet, has spoken of his commitment to ensuring passenger safety. Despite being stabbed during the incident, he opened the cockpit door to allow passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and regain control of the aircraft. The pilot was subsequently admitted to a hospital in Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia, where he is in stable condition. He has emphasized the rigorous first aid training the crew undergo to handle emergencies and stressed the importance of maintaining concentration and communicating effectively with passengers to diffuse tense situations.",
  "summary": "Smit Machchhar, the flydubai pilot hailed for his bravery in saving the lives of 174 passengers, has previously spoken of his pride in ensuring passengers are safe whenever he is in control of a plane. Passengers on the flydubai Flight FZ1073 and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have described how, despite having been stabbed, the Indian captain opened the cockpit door to allow…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "'As long as you walk out of the aircraft safely – that’s what I want': flydubai hero pilot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/as-long-as-you-walk-out-of-the-aircraft-safely-thats-what-i-want",
        "published": "2026-10-01T04:51:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}