A ‘hero’ pilot, plumber and dentist among those who saved flydubai flight to Israel
Captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero after he successfully opened the cockpit door despite being stabbed by his co-pilot during a flydubai flight. His actions allowed passengers and crew to intervene and safely land the plane in Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters
The incident highlights a rare and dangerous security breach in commercial aviation and the critical role of crew response in preventing a potential disaster.
Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian captain of flydubai Flight 1073, whose quick thinking has been praised after being attacked. Photograph: Israel Foreign Ministry @IsraelMFA Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian captain of flydubai Flight 1073, whose quick thinking has been praised after being attacked. Photograph: Israel Foreign Ministry @IsraelMFA Israel ‘Hero’ pilot, plumber and dentist among those who saved flydubai flight to Israel Swift actions of Smit Machchhar allowed passengers and off-duty pilots to subdue attacker and land plane safely
Prefer the Guardian on Google S mit Machchhar was lying on the floor of the flydubai flight deck, covered in blood, when he managed to click the release to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to gain entry, overpower his attacker and save 174 passengers onboard.
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