Israeli PM hails Indian pilot wounded in diverted flydubai flight
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero for preventing a catastrophic crash on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. After being stabbed by his co-pilot, Machchhar fought back and enabled passengers to subdue the attacker, allowing for an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters
This incident highlights a major aviation security breach involving a commercial flight and underscores the critical role of pilot intervention in preventing mass-casualty events.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the Indian Captain Smit Machchhar , who was wounded in an altercation with his copilot who allegedly tried to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on Wednesday (September 30, 2026).
Describing him as a “true hero”, Mr. Netanyahu said that “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 said Mr. Machchhar saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.
News website Ynet , citing Israeli officials, reported that the co-pilot was an Omani national and was suspected of trying to crash the aircraft.
The Indian captain fought with him to prevent the aircraft from crashing, with Israeli passengers later helping subdue the co-pilot, the report said.
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