{
  "id": 11485273,
  "title": "FlyDubai 'hero' pilot speaks for first time",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/flydubai-hero-pilot-speaks-for-first-time",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T17:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW English (Top Stories)",
    "slug": "dw-english-top-stories",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/flydubai-hero-pilot-speaks-for-first-time/a-79524500?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-xml-mrss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has spoken for the first time about the harrowing ordeal he endured when his copilot attempted to stab him, potentially crash the plane. Machchhar, who was severely injured, managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing other passengers to enter and restrain the attacker. He remained conscious throughout, urgently realizing he needed to get up as passengers' lives hung in the balance. The incident forced the flight, bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai, to divert to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it safely landed. The 180 passengers on board were primarily Israeli nationals. Anwar Gargash, a UAE adviser, praised Machchhar as a true hero embodying courage and responsibility in the face of a terrorist act. The suspected attacker, an Omani national, was apprehended upon landing in Saudi Arabia, though the motive remains unclear, with Israel suspecting an Islamist attack. The UAE and Israel labeled the incident a terrorist attack. FlyDubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith pledged a full investigation and temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv until at least October 15. Israeli officials are set to investigate the co-pilot, currently held in the UAE, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that those who sent the attacker would face severe consequences. Many Israelis found themselves stranded in the UAE due to the flight suspension, which prompted Israeli airlines to begin repatriating stranded nationals.",
  "summary": "The man responsible for stabilizing the flight from UAE to Israel that was subjected to an alleged crashing attempt held a video call with Indian leader Narendra Modi. He was hailed a \"hero.\"",
  "key_points": [
    "Indian FlyDubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar recounts attack by copilot.",
    "180 Israeli passengers safely diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.",
    "Suspected attacker, Omani national, apprehended upon landing."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/11485273.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Israelis set to interrogate Flydubai pilot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/israelis-set-to-interrogate-flydubai-pilot",
        "published": "2026-10-02T14:51:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "FlyDubai pilot speaks out as videos show desperate screaming, chaos near cockpit",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/flydubai-pilot-speaks-out-as-videos-show-desperate-screaming-chaos",
        "published": "2026-10-02T16:59:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "FlyDubai 'hero' pilot speaks for first time",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/flydubai-hero-pilot-speaks-for-first-time-11490213",
        "published": "2026-10-02T17:15:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}