Indian pilot hailed after foiling alleged flydubai cockpit attack

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed by leaders in Israel and the United States after he foiled an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Machchhar as a 'true hero', while US President Donald Trump called him 'a hero'. The flight was carrying nearly 180 people. Machchhar, who was seriously injured in the incident, is in stable condition and is being treated at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. The UAE has opened an investigation.

According to Trump, the pilot fought off a knife attack by the co-pilot, opened the cockpit door and called for help to stop an attempt to bring down the aircraft. Trump also said a plumber steadied the plunging aircraft.

Israeli leaders praised Machchhar, an Indian national, for thwarting the alleged attempt to crash the plane and wished him a speedy recovery. Netanyahu was among those who hailed him as a 'true hero' after the aircraft landed safely.

Officials in Dubai said on Thursday that Machchhar was in stable condition after suffering serious injuries while foiling the alleged crash attempt. He is receiving treatment at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Also on Thursday, the Indian envoy to the UAE met Machchhar's family in Dubai and briefed them about his health and recovery. The UAE said it had opened an investigation into the incident involving the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv that had to divert and land in Saudi Arabia.

The incident on board the flydubai flight has drawn international attention, with Machchhar being praised for preventing an alleged crash, the passengers landing safely in Saudi Arabia, and an official investigation now under way as he recovers in hospital.

With PTI Inputs

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