{
  "id": 11748134,
  "title": "'I gave everything that I had': Flydubai captain tells Netanyahu about co-pilot's hijacking attempt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/i-gave-everything-that-i-had-flydubai-captain-tells-netanyahu-about",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T19:08:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-910475"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he had given his all to open the cockpit door during an attempted hijacking by his Omani co-pilot. On October 3, 2026, Machchhar recounted the harrowing experience, stating that he had used the last of his strength to push the door open. During the incident, the co-pilot struck him on the back of the head, and Machchhar feared the worst, believing the aircraft had been damaged. However, as the blows continued, he realized the attack was coming from the co-pilot, not the aircraft. Despite Machchhar's efforts, the co-pilot kept slamming the door shut. Ultimately, Machchhar managed to open the door and managed to escape the ordeal. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised Machchhar's courage and coolness under pressure, inviting him to light a torch alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Israel's next Independence Day celebration.",
  "summary": "The prime minister thanked Machchhar for his \"remarkable\" actions, saying that he \"saved the spirit of the world.\"",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Flydubai flight FZ1073 co-pilot attacked Indian captain with an axe, UAE probe finds",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/flydubai-flight-fz1073-co-pilot-attacked-indian-captain-with-an-axe",
        "published": "2026-10-03T08:55:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "UAE says FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe in “terrorist” act",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/uae-says-flydubai-co-pilot-attacked-captain-with-axe-in-terrorist-act",
        "published": "2026-10-03T09:27:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "What we know about the co-pilot accused in Flydubai attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/what-we-know-about-the-co-pilot-accused-in-flydubai-attack",
        "published": "2026-10-03T15:39:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}