{
  "id": 15256738,
  "title": "Indian pilot Smit Machchhar recounts flydubai cockpit attack: ‘Smit, do something. You can’t die like this’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-recounts-flydubai-cockpit-attack-smit-do",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-17T18:30:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/world/indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-recounts-flydubai-cockpit-attack-smit-do-something-you-can-t-die-like-this-11792261059895.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian pilot Smit Machchhar recounted the cockpit attack on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where he was assaulted by his co-pilot. Initially, Machchhar thought something had broken off the aircraft's roof and struck him, but soon realized he was being attacked. The co-pilot had wanted to use the restroom and prayed before threatening Machchhar with an emergency crash axe. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door and the passengers and crew intervened, restraining the attacker. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia and landed safely. Machchhar praised the co-pilot who took over the controls and described the determination of everyone aboard to survive. He was initially treated in Tabuk and later transferred to Abu Dhabi for further medical care. The incident occurred on September 30, and Machchhar is currently making steady progress and regaining his health.",
  "summary": "Machchhar said he was screaming his colleague's name and trying to operate the switch to open the door when he lost consciousness for the first time.",
  "key_points": [
    "Indian pilot Smit Machchhar recounts cockpit attack on flydubai flight.",
    "Co-pilot threatened Machchhar with emergency crash axe.",
    "Aircraft diverted to Tabuk, landed safely after intervention."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}