Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit stabbing in call with Indian PM Modi
Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar recounted his experience of being stabbed by his co-pilot during a flight to Tel Aviv in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Machchhar described how he managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and land the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters
This event highlights a rare and dangerous security incident in commercial aviation and the critical role of pilot presence of mind in emergency situations.
Smit Machchhar recalls mid-air disaster after co-pilot’s attack on flydubai flight to Tel Aviv.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks via video call with Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar, who is recovering in a hospital in the United Arab Emirates [Handout/Office of the Indian Prime Minister via AFP] By Al Jazeera Staff , AFP and Reuters Published On 2 Oct 2026 2 Oct 2026 Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, has shared a public account of how he managed to open the cockpit door and let passengers take control of the plane despite his injuries.
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