Flydubai co-pilot stabs captain Smit Machhar mid-flight; passengers overpower him, plane lands in Saudi Arabia
Indian captain Smit Machhar was seriously wounded on flight FZ1073 but helped land the plane safely, and world leaders have praised his courage.
An incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, thousands of feet in the air, is now being discussed around the world. Emergency-like conditions suddenly arose during the flight. Captain Smit Machhar, the Indian chief pilot flying the aircraft, was attacked with a knife by the Omani co-pilot seated beside him. The co-pilot was reportedly alleged to have been trying to take control of the plane and bring it down.
Despite serious wounds, Captain Machhar showed courage and presence of mind, which saved the lives of hundreds of passengers. As news of the incident spread, concern was expressed around the world, and international leaders openly praised the Indian pilot.
US President Donald Trump took the matter seriously and spoke directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone. Speaking to the media, Trump said, "I have spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about this unfortunate and extremely horrific incident. According to initial information, the co-pilot was perhaps a terrorist or a mentally unstable man. He attacked the chief pilot with a knife with great cruelty. The captain's condition was very critical, but with full courage and sense he opened the cockpit door. In a way, he has done a very brave, heroic thing." Trump also offered special thanks to the Indian pilot and to the brave passengers who intervened.
Hearing screams and sounds of a struggle from the cockpit, passengers in the cabin panicked. Meanwhile, the aircraft began to plunge very fast towards the ground, thousands of feet below. Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun acted without losing a moment. Seeing the cockpit door open, he ran in and, with all his strength, pulled the co-pilot out of the chief pilot's seat. With the help of other passengers, he held the attacker by the neck and fully subdued him. Though he had no experience of flying an aircraft, he played a key role in regaining control of the cockpit, with the sole intention of saving the passengers' lives.
After the situation calmed and the attacker was in custody, the badly wounded Captain Smit Machhar and the crew together regained control of the aircraft. Giving top priority to the safety of all passengers, the plane was landed safely at a nearby airport in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later met passenger Yaniv Hayun and honoured him. Netanyahu wrote on the social media platform X, "Yaniv, you are a true hero. We are a nation of lions!"
International investigating agencies and local authorities are currently looking into the real motive behind the life-threatening attack. The Indian and Israeli diplomatic missions, along with the wider international aviation community, are praising Captain Smit Machhar's immense courage. Both heroes, who averted a possible major air disaster without regard for their own lives, are receiving congratulations from around the world.
