Indian pilot hailed for saving 174 as UAE, Saudi probes continue
A Dubai-Tel Aviv flight carrying 174 people was plunged into chaos on Wednesday after the Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain inside the cockpit and attempted to seize control of the aircraft, forcing it into a sharp descent before it was diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely. Indian captain Smit Machchhar, despite being seriously injured, managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and help regain control of the Boeing 737. The flight, flydubai FZ1073, was then diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely with all 174 people on board.
Machchhar was later airlifted to Abu Dhabi for specialised treatment and is now out of danger and recovering, according to the Indian Embassy in the UAE. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the pilot had demonstrated “remarkable patience, presence of mind, and courage” and said his actions helped prevent what he described as a “9/11-style tragedy”. President Droupadi Murmu said Machchhar’s courage and presence of mind helped prevent a major tragedy and save lives, while defence minister Rajnath Singh said the country took “immense pride” in his actions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Machchhar as a “true hero” and said he had saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. “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,” Netanyahu said. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also thanked Machchhar and said he would recommend four passengers for the President’s Medal for Civilian Bravery for their role in overpowering the attacker. The UAE’s ministry of foreign affairs separately said judicial authorities had opened a comprehensive investigation into the incident. UAE attorney-general counsellor Dr Hamad Al Shamsi has directed a specialised Public Prosecution team to determine the causes and motives behind the incident, the ministry said.
The incident has triggered investigations by Saudi and UAE authorities, with Israeli investigators also involved. The motive behind the attack has not yet been established. Machchhar has received praise from political leaders in India and Israel following the incident. PM Modi also spoke to Machchhar’s parents and wife and enquired about his health. External affairs minister S Jaishankar, vice-president C P Radhakrishnan and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge were among those who also praised the pilot.
External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also confirmed the ambassador’s visit.
“Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well,” the Indian Embassy said in a post on X, adding that it remained in close coordination with local authorities over his medical care and well-being. Thank the UAE government for their support and medical care being extended,” Mittal said. Saudi authorities are conducting the preliminary investigation into the Omani co-pilot, according to an Israeli official cited by The Times of Israel. The suspect is expected to be handed over to Emirati authorities after the Saudi inquiry for a secondary investigation, according to the report.
“Very reassured to meet Capt Smit. Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal visited Machchhar and his family at the hospital on Thursday and said he was reassured by the pilot’s condition.
Motive remains under investigation
The flight transmitted emergency signals on Wednesday and underwent a sharp descent of more than 17,000 feet from around 34,000 feet before diverting to Tabuk. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children. Because the aircraft is registered in the country and operates under its national flag, the UAE said its judicial authorities have jurisdiction. UAE law therefore applies to offences committed aboard the aircraft even when it is outside UAE airspace, it said.
No motive had yet been determined and an initial Israeli assessment suggested the co-pilot may have acted alone, according to Reuters. Two Israeli security officials told Reuters that the investigation remained ongoing. Israel’s envoy to the UAE, Yossi Shelley, also said it was too early to draw conclusions. Netanyahu has claimed that the co-pilot underwent “Islamist radical indoctrination” and may have intended to crash the aircraft. He also said investigators would examine whether there was an Iranian connection. Nothing is ruled out for now,” a regional official briefed on the investigation told news agency AP, speaking on condition of anonymity. But it was all instinct to survive,” he said in a statement shared by the Israeli presidency. After I pulled him out we took control of the plane, I pulled up the yoke (steering control of the plane), I straightened the plane out a bit,” he told reporters.
The UAE also thanked Saudi authorities for their cooperation in safely landing the aircraft and securing those on board. Israeli intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet are investigating the incident, while Israeli investigators are expected to participate in the interrogation of the suspect. However, there had been no official suggestion of Iranian involvement and Israeli security officials had not identified any Iranian role so far. “All possible scenarios, from terrorism to mental disorders, are being looked into. The co-pilot has not been publicly identified. Passengers who intervened have described how Machchhar opened the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing them to enter and overpower the co-pilot. Asaf Rajuan, one of the passengers who intervened, described the experience as an instinctive fight for survival. “We felt helpless, suspended in midair, and I didn’t know who to turn to. Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayun also described taking control of the aircraft after the attacker was pulled from the cockpit. “We pulled the assailant out, I pulled him out. It eventually landed safely at Tabuk, while the passengers were later flown to Tel Aviv on another aircraft. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.
The pilot has more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience and around 9,750 flying hours, predominantly on Boeing 737 aircraft. He previously spent 11 years with SpiceJet as a Line Training Captain. Machchhar was initially taken to a hospital in Tabuk after the flight landed in Saudi Arabia and was subsequently airlifted to Abu Dhabi for specialised treatment.