Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended Captain Smit Machchhar for his role in preventing a potential disaster on a flight diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Key facts
- •Captain Smit Machchhar is an Indian national based in Dubai who sustained serious injuries during the altercation.
- •The flight was carrying 174 passengers when it diverted to Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
- •Netanyahu stated that the co-pilot attempted to damage the aircraft's systems before being restrained.
- •Flydubai flight FZ1073 transmitted an emergency alert shortly after departing Dubai on Wednesday morning.
- •The suspect remains in the custody of Saudi authorities for questioning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during a security incident aboard a Flydubai flight. The flight, FZ1073, was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it was forced to make an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Netanyahu stated that Machchhar, who was stabbed and seriously injured by a co-pilot, helped prevent a catastrophic mid-air disaster by enabling the crew and passengers to regain control.
By the numbers
Details of the In-Flight Incident
According to Netanyahu, the incident involved an alleged attempt by a co-pilot to crash the aircraft. The Prime Minister reported that the co-pilot stabbed Captain Machchhar, who then fought back and opened the cockpit door. This action allowed an Israeli passenger and other crew members to intervene and overpower the attacker. Another crew member subsequently entered the cockpit to stabilize the aircraft, which was a Boeing 737 Max 8.
Aftermath and Rescue Operation
Following the emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi authorities took the suspect into custody for interrogation. Flydubai arranged a rescue flight to transport the 174 passengers, who included Israeli citizens and other nationals, to their original destination at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel. The rescue flight arrived in Tel Aviv at 15:34 GMT on Wednesday, where passengers were met by Netanyahu. The incident drew political criticism from Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, who characterized the Prime Minister's presence at the airport as "cheap politics" ahead of upcoming elections.
Timeline
- Wednesday morningFlydubai flight FZ1073 departed Dubai and transmitted an emergency alert.
- WednesdayThe aircraft made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
- Wednesday eveningNetanyahu posted a statement on X praising the pilot's bravery.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Times of India, Al Jazeera.
