Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for helping prevent a major air disaster aboard a FlyDubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency alert.
According to Netanyahu, Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured during the incident but fought back, resisted the attacker and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to help subdue the assailant.
Netanyahu said the pilot’s actions helped prevent a catastrophe and saved the lives of 174 passengers, including Israeli citizens and people of other nationalities. He wished Machchhar a speedy recovery and described him as a “true hero.”
