{
  "id": 11131845,
  "title": "Indian pilot's ‘muscle memory’ helped him avert flydubai tragedy after being stabbed, says friend",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/indian-pilots-muscle-memory-helped-him-avert-flydubai-tragedy-after",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T07:17:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-muscle-memory-helped-him-avert-flydubai-tragedy-after-being-stabbed-says-friend-101790837664662.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was injured after being stabbed by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Machchhar showed \"extraordinary bravery\" by fighting back despite being wounded, and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. This prevented a \"catastrophic mid-air disaster\", Netanyahu said.\n\nThe flight, which had 174 passengers, mostly Israeli, suddenly lost 17,000 feet of altitude in a minute, prompting passengers to rush the cockpit. Israeli officials called the incident an \"attempted terrorist attack\".\n\nIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar's actions, saying he showed \"immense courage\" and \"an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others\". Modi added that Machchhar's valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. The Indian government is providing assistance to Machchhar and his family.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "‘Capt Smit Machchhar is a Hero’: PM Modi hails brave FlyDubai pilot for ‘averting great tragedy’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/capt-smit-machchhar-is-a-hero-pm-modi-hails-brave-flydubai-pilot-for",
        "published": "2026-10-01T02:21:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Global leaders, diplomats to passengers: How Indian pilot Smit Machchhar became a hero for the world",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/global-leaders-diplomats-to-passengers-how-indian-pilot-smit",
        "published": "2026-10-01T04:02:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Indian airline captain hailed as ‘hero’ after cockpit stabbing on Flydubai flight",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/indian-airline-captain-hailed-as-hero-after-cockpit-stabbing-on",
        "published": "2026-10-01T04:26:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Indian pride swells as flydubai pilot who saved 174 lives hailed as ‘absolute hero’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/indian-pride-swells-as-flydubai-pilot-who-saved-174-lives-hailed-as",
        "published": "2026-10-01T05:18:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘A hero’: Trump on Indian pilot Smit Machchhar after mid-air cockpit attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/a-hero-trump-on-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-after-mid-air-cockpit",
        "published": "2026-10-01T05:19:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "President Murmu, PM Modi praise Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for saving Israel-bound flight from crash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/president-murmu-pm-modi-praise-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-for-saving",
        "published": "2026-10-01T05:44:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Indian captain praised as hero after preventing mid-air disaster on Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/indian-captain-praised-as-hero-after-preventing-mid-air-disaster-on",
        "published": "2026-10-01T05:55:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}