'A true hero': Netanyahu 'salutes' Indian pilot who stopped co-pilot from crashing plane
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery in stopping a co-pilot from crashing a flydubai flight. The pilot was stabbed during the altercation, but his intervention allowed crew and passengers to secure the cockpit and land the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters
This incident highlights a major aviation security event involving international cooperation and the prevention of a potential mass-casualty disaster.
NEW DELHI: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery after he was stabbed and seriously injured while trying to stop an alleged attempt to crash a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, saying he helped save the lives of 174 people on board.“My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster.He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery.He is a true hero,” Netanyahu said in a post.The flydubai rescue flight carrying passengers from the diverted flight landed at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel, The Times of Israel reported.
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8 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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