A Flydubai pilot is being hailed as a hero after he fought off his co-pilot who stabbed him during an attempted hijacking of a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
What happened
Captain Smit Machchhar, who is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital, recounted the dramatic attack in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Machchhar said he was stabbed by his co-pilot, an Omani national, and despite suffering serious injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and restrain the attacker.
The Boeing 737 was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing. The flight was carrying 182 people and was secured by on-duty crew members who diverted and landed the aircraft safely.
Machchhar, who has 17 years of flying experience, said his training allowed him to sense the plane's steep descent even after he was knocked down by the attacker. He also credited the Hindu devotional hymn, Hanuman Chalisa, which he recited during the difficult moments, for giving him the courage to act.
The motive for the attack is not immediately clear, and the attacker is currently undergoing interrogation in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar's bravery has been praised by world leaders, including Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said his actions helped avert a disaster.
