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Indian airline captain hailed as a hero after cockpit stabbing on FlyDubai flight bound for Israel
The injured captain unlocked the cockpit door, and passengers and crew overpowered the attacker as the jet plunged about 17,000 feet, officials said.
- On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar thwarted a cockpit attack on flight FZ1073 en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, saving 174 passengers before an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- The Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar with a knife mid-flight, causing the Boeing 737 to plunge roughly 17,000 feet as crew and passengers struggled to regain control during the emergency.
- Despite severe stab wounds, the 13-year aviation veteran managed to hit the cockpit door release, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker. Machchhar, formerly of SpiceJet, logged nearly 9,750 flying hours throughout his career.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Machchhar as a 'true hero' for his actions. Flydubai suspended Israel flights pending investigation while Machchhar recovers from surgery in stable condition.
- Saudi authorities are interrogating the suspect to determine if the attack involved 'terrorist activity or prior planning,' while investigators examine the co-pilot's background amid calls for tightened security protocols across international carriers.
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Radio France Internationale+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Indian flydubai pilot opened cockpit door to save passengers
"I was trying to save my own life, but I knew I could not let all those people die," Machchhar said during a call from his hospital bed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to a video posted by the leader on social media. The Boeing 737 flight to Tel Aviv, operated by Dubai-based flydubai, was carrying 174 passengers when the altercation took place on Wednesday. Machchhar, who has 17 years of aviation experience -- 11 as a captain -…
·Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
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Machchhar was able to open the cabin after being attacked by his co-pilot.
·Vienna, Austria
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The reaction of the passage allowed to immobilize the aggressor while another user took control of the commercial transport
·Madrid, Spain
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources388
Leaning Left52Leaning Right57Center82Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Center
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center
L 27%
C 43%
R 30%
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