Stabbed In Cockpit, How Indian Captain Helped Avert Disaster, Save All 174 On Flydubai Flight

Machchhar fought back despite being seriously injured and managed to open the cockpit door. This allowed passengers and other crew members to enter and overpower the attacker.

Indian Captain Smit Machchhar played a key role in averting a major disaster after he was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Machchhar fought back despite being seriously injured and managed to open the cockpit door. This allowed passengers and other crew members to enter and overpower the attacker before the aircraft could be brought under control.

Pilot Fought Back Despite Being Stabbed

Netanyahu said the aircraft had begun to descend sharply when the attack unfolded. He credited Machchhar with resisting the alleged attacker and opening the cockpit door before collapsing.

Passengers then rushed towards the cockpit and helped subdue the co-pilot. Netanyahu said another crew member later entered the cockpit and helped stabilise the aircraft.

Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft, flying at about 34,000 feet, lost more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes. It later diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia and landed safely.

Flydubai said the aircraft was secured by other on-duty crew members travelling on the flight. All 174 passengers and crew were accounted for.

Netanyahu, Trump Praise Indian Captain

Netanyahu called Machchhar a “true hero", saying his actions helped prevent a “catastrophic mid-air disaster".

“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," Netanyahu wrote on X. He said Machchhar had “saved the lives of 174 people".

Netanyahu later told CNN that the pilot had “managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster".

US President Donald Trump also praised Machchhar, saying the captain was “in very bad shape" but had acted heroically by opening the cockpit door.

“The pilot was in very bad shape; I guess he still is in very bad shape, but he had the sense to, amazing, to, in a way he was a hero," Trump said.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry also called Machchhar a hero, saying he opened the door despite being severely injured and allowed passengers and crew to intervene.

“Together, their extraordinary courage saved 174 lives. Indian. Israeli. Emirati. Different nationalities. One extraordinary act of courage. We wish Captain Machchhar a full and speedy recovery," the ministry wrote on X.

Indian Embassy Tracks His Condition

Machchhar was taken to hospital in Tabuk after the emergency landing. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah said they were closely following his condition.

“He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary medical attention," the embassy said. Machchhar was reported to be in stable condition, while a full medical update was awaited.

“We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest. We are in touch with his family and assure them that we will continue to follow up on his health with Saudi authorities and extend all possible assistance for his wellbeing," the embassy added.

The embassy also said it was in touch with his family and Saudi authorities and would provide all possible assistance.

The alleged attacker was also injured and taken to hospital. Saudi authorities were reported to have arrested and questioned him.

The motive behind the incident remains unclear, with Flydubai saying the matter was under formal investigation and warning against premature speculation.