Indian Captain Fights Off Co-Pilot Allegedly Trying to Crash Flydubai Flight, Saves 174 Lives; PM Modi Calls Him ‘Hero’

    01-Oct-2026
Total Views |

Indian Captain Fights Off Co-Pilot Allegedly Trying to Crash Flydubai Flight, Saves 174 Lives
 
An Indian captain on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv fought off his co-pilot after he allegedly tried to crash the plane, which had to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, Israeli media reported on Wednesday.
 
 
News website Ynet, citing Israeli officials, reported that the co-pilot was an Omani national and was suspected of trying to crash the aircraft. The Indian captain, identified as Captain Smit Machchhar, fought with the co-pilot to prevent the aircraft from crashing. Israeli passengers later helped overpower and subdue the co-pilot, the report said.
 
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Machchhar for his bravery and said he had acted with courage despite being seriously injured.
 
 
“Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO.
 
In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. 
avert a great tragedy.
India is proud of Captain Machchhar.
Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health.”, PM Narendra Modi said in a post on X.
 
 
 
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the Indian pilot, saying he had helped prevent a catastrophic mid-air disaster and saved the lives of 174 people.
 
“My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.
Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker - preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster.
 
He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals.
I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery.
He is a true hero”, Israel PM Banjamin Netanyahu said in a post on X.
 
 
 
US President Donald Trump also spoke about the incident, saying the co-pilot could have been a terrorist or mentally unstable, while praising the injured captain.
 
“the co-pilot bound Flydubai jet was perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job.” Trump says the badly wounded captain still for help.
 
“In a way he was a hero”, US President Donald Trump said.