Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit stabbing incident during flight to Tel Aviv

Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, recounted a mid-air incident involving a stabbing by his co-pilot on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv. In a video call from a hospital bed in Abu Dhabi with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar described how he managed to open the cockpit door and allow passengers to take control of the aircraft despite his injuries. He stated, "I had suffered so many injuries that I had collapsed. At that time, I could feel that the aircraft was going down. I knew this was the last push, that the door was right there." Machchhar, who has 17 years of aviation experience, mentioned that he recited a Hindu devotional prayer during the ordeal. He expressed gratitude, saying, "I know God himself saved me." Modi commended Machchhar's actions, noting that his presence of mind had saved lives and upheld the reputation of Indian pilots. Machchhar allowed passengers and crew to subdue the co-pilot, enabling a second pair of Flydubai pilots to take control and land the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The flight was carrying 174 people and had briefly descended approximately 17,000 feet (5,180 meters) before stabilization. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash labeled the incident a "terrorist act," while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested the co-pilot had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination" and appeared "suicidal." US President Donald Trump indicated that Iran would face severe consequences if linked to the attack. The United Arab Emirates announced an investigation into the incident.