CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: New Delhi. A major crisis broke out on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machhar with a knife in the cockpit. The aircraft suddenly began descending rapidly. Despite being injured, Captain Machhar confronted the situation and managed to open the cockpit door. Some passengers then helped overpower the attacker. The aircraft was diverted for an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Captain Smit Machhar is an Indian pilot from Mumbai. He had earlier worked with SpiceJet for around 11 years and joined Flydubai in June 2022. He is reported to have more than 13 years of commercial flying experience on Boeing 737 aircraft and over 9,500 flying hours. At SpiceJet, he had also worked as a line training captain and commander.
There were 174 people on board during the incident, while some reports have mentioned around 180 people, including crew members. After the aircraft began descending rapidly, passengers and other crew members also played a role in bringing the situation under control. Following the safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, Captain Machhar was admitted to hospital. According to the Indian Embassy, his condition was stated to be stable. After the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly praised Captain Machhar’s bravery. The Indian pilot’s role is also being discussed in India and Israel. The incident is being investigated by the relevant authorities and aviation agencies.
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