{
  "id": 11421351,
  "title": "I fought to save passengers, says Flydubai pilot",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-fought-to-save-passengers-says-flydubai-pilot-11421351",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T11:08:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/i-fought-to-save-passengers-says-flydubai-pilot/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Captain Smit Machchhar of Flydubai recounted his experience fighting to regain control of a cockpit after being attacked by his co-pilot during flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft plummeted over 17,000ft after being diverted, with Machchhar sustaining injuries while lying on the floor. He stated that he was determined to save passengers, urging himself to open the cockpit door despite being injured. Once subdued by passengers, Machchhar and two reserve pilots who were also passengers safely landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the attacker was an Omani national with possible Islamist radical indoctrination, and stated that passengers overpowered the attacker. The United Arab Emirates launched an investigation into the incident, examining its potential connection to terrorism. Machchhar, described as a \"true hero,\" was taken to hospital in Tabuk and later airlifted to Abu Dhabi, where he is now in stable condition. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar's courage, patience and quick decision-making, which saved many lives.",
  "summary": "The Indian pilot of a Flydubai passenger aircraft has recounted how he fought to regain control of the cockpit after being attacked by his co-pilot, saying he was determined not to let other passengers die. Captain Smit Machchhar said he was lying injured on the cockpit floor when he realised the aircraft was rapidly descending Read More:…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV - India News",
        "title": "In Phone Call, Hero Pilot Tells PM Modi What Gave Him Courage During Attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/in-phone-call-hero-pilot-tells-pm-modi-what-gave-him-courage-during",
        "published": "2026-10-02T06:09:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Flydubai hero pilot tells Modi 'I could not let all those people die'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/flydubai-hero-pilot-tells-modi-i-could-not-let-all-those-people-die",
        "published": "2026-10-02T09:04:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "I fought to save passengers, says Flydubai pilot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-fought-to-save-passengers-says-flydubai-pilot",
        "published": "2026-10-02T10:50:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}