In brief
A weary Indian captain, Captain Smit Machchhar, recounts how he thwarted a violent attack by a co‑pilot on a Flydubai flight bound for Israel. The incident on the Dubai‑to‑Saudi airspace left the crew and passengers distraught until Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit, allowing passengers to retake control and secure the aircraft. All on board were rescued and the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia. In the weeks that followed, the captain received a personal call from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking him as a national hero.
“Captain Smit Machchhar fought back because he could not allow everyone on the flight to die”, he says from his hospital bed.
The 1,800‑km flight departed Dubai bound for Israel when an armed passenger—later revealed to be the co‑pilot—attempted to seize control. The crew’s quick thinking and the passengers’ bravery turned the situation around.
Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing on‑board crew to subdue the attacker and secure the aircraft. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia with no fatalities.
In the wake of the incident, the captain received a phone call from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, showcasing national gratitude for his heroics.
