I wasn't going to let others die, says Indian pilot who opened cockpit door during attack
- Captain Smit Machchhar revealed in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he unlocked the cockpit door from the floor while under attack, stating, "I was of course fighting for my own life but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die."
- The Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight plunged over 17,000 feet after Machchhar was assaulted by his co-pilot two hours into the journey from Dubai, forcing an emergency diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Passengers and off-duty crew members entered the flight deck after Machchhar unlocked the door during his final effort, successfully overpowering the assailant and regaining control of the aircraft.
- Both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s bravery and quick decision-making under fire for preventing a major disaster and saving everyone on board.
- Following the safe emergency landing in northwestern Saudi Arabia, Machchhar was transported to a hospital in Tabuk to receive medical treatment for injuries sustained during the struggle.
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The co-pilot was hired by the airline based in United Arab Emirates. It was not immediately clear to what extent his background was investigated when he was hired in United Arab Emirates.
FlyDubai co-pilot who nearly crashed plane was barred from flying by Oman over extremism concerns
The FlyDubai co-pilot who officials said nearly crashed a Tel Aviv-bound flight with 182 people aboard was barred from flying by his native Oman over concerns he had adopted extremist views, a person familiar with the matter said Saturday. The…
‘I could not let all those people die’: Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit attack
DUBAI, Oct 3 — An Indian pilot attacked by his co-pilot aboard a flight from the UAE to Israel said yesterday that he “could not let all those people die”, in his first...
WASHINGTON (ANP) - The suspect co-pilot who attacked the captain in the cockpit of a FlyDubai aircraft had previously been flagged as a security risk at Oman Air. Sources told the American broadcaster ABC News that extremist material was reportedly found on him. The suspect...
The co-pilot suspected of attempting to hijack a plane had been banned from flying by a previous employer due to concerns about "extremist values", sources told several American media outlets.
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