{
  "id": 11174668,
  "title": "Trump calls injured Flydubai captain a hero after emergency landing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/trump-calls-injured-flydubai-captain-a-hero-after-emergency-landing",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-01T11:04:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/world/2026-10-01-trump-calls-injured-flydubai-captain-a-hero-after-emergency-landing/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "US President Donald Trump has praised the captain of a Flydubai flight as a hero. The flight, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, diverted to Saudi Arabia after a reported incident in the cockpit.\n\nThe incident involved Indian captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed and seriously wounded by his co-pilot. According to the Malay Mail, Machchhar managed to resist his attacker and open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot. Two other Flydubai pilots on board took control of the aircraft and made an emergency landing in the Saudi city of Tabuk.\n\nCaptain Machchhar was taken to hospital in Tabuk, where he was receiving medical treatment and was in a stable condition, the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia said. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Machchhar's actions, saying his valour had helped save hundreds of lives.",
  "key_points": [
    "US President Donald Trump hailed Indian captain Smit Machchhar as a hero.",
    "Captain opened solid steel cockpit door and pulled attacker out.",
    "Flight made emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Flydubai hero pilot Smit Machchhar to be awarded ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/flydubai-hero-pilot-smit-machchhar-to-be-awarded-visisht-gujarat",
        "published": "2026-10-01T09:23:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Indian pilot hailed as ‘hero’ after stabbing attack in Flydubai cockpit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/indian-pilot-hailed-as-hero-after-stabbing-attack-in-flydubai-cockpit",
        "published": "2026-10-01T10:20:49.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}