Who is the Indian pilot who fought off his cockpit attacker?
Washington Post
Washington Post
Original Source
Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero after confronting his co-pilot who attacked him in the cockpit of Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. His swift action saved the lives of over 170 passengers and crew aboard the Boeing 737 Max.
Flydubai Indian pilot Smit Machchhar hailed as hero after cockpit stabbing - The Washington Post
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Who is the Indian pilot who fought off his cockpit attacker?
Capt. Smit Machchhar once said he had planned to join his family’s textile business before being bitten by the “aviation bug.”
October 1, 2026 at 6:18 a.m. EDTToday at 6:18 a.m. EDT
3 min
*Smit Machchhar, captain of Flight 1073, in an undated photo released by Israel's Foreign Ministry. (Israeli Foreign Ministry/AFP/Getty Images)*
By Victoria Craw
The Indian pilot who was stabbed in the cockpit of a Flydubai flight carrying more than 170 people is being hailed as a hero, as officials say his actions saved the lives of those onboard.
Capt. Smit Machchhar is in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after authorities say he was attacked by his co-pilot on Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The plane descended sharply, losing half its altitude in less than two minutes, before other crew members took control of the Boeing 737 Max and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
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What readers are saying
The comments overwhelmingly praise Captain Smit Machchhar for his heroism in thwarting an attack on a plane, with many expressing admiration and wishing him a speedy recovery. There is also discussion about the nature of the attack, with some questioning the lack of labeling it... Show more
This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.
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WorldAsiaAfricaAmericasEuropeMiddle East
WorldAsiaAfricaAmericasEuropeMiddle East
Who is the Indian pilot who fought off his cockpit attacker?
Capt. Smit Machchhar once said he had planned to join his family’s textile business before being bitten by the “aviation bug.”
October 1, 2026 at 6:18 a.m. EDTToday at 6:18 a.m. EDT
3 min
*Smit Machchhar, captain of Flight 1073, in an undated photo released by Israel's Foreign Ministry. (Israeli Foreign Ministry/AFP/Getty Images)*
By Victoria Craw
The Indian pilot who was stabbed in the cockpit of a Flydubai flight carrying more than 170 people is being hailed as a hero, as officials say his actions saved the lives of those onboard.
Capt. Smit Machchhar is in a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after authorities say he was attacked by his co-pilot on Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The plane descended sharply, losing half its altitude in less than two minutes, before other crew members took control of the Boeing 737 Max and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
---
What readers are saying
The comments overwhelmingly praise Captain Smit Machchhar for his heroism in thwarting an attack on a plane, with many expressing admiration and wishing him a speedy recovery. There is also discussion about the nature of the attack, with some questioning the lack of labeling it... Show more
This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.
* Katie Mettler and Brady Dennis Tennessee once again botches execution; governor orders outside review Earlier today
* Emma Ashford, Foreign Policy Everyone got Pete Hegseth wrong September 30, 2026
* Alex DeLuca Florida county discovers mysterious Flock cameras with no obvious owner 3 hours ago
* Isaac Arnsdorf Trump loses favor with crypto fans who call him out for cashing in Earlier today
* Dan Merica and Gregory S. Schneider Mississippi Democrats dare to wonder whether Senate seat is in reach 3 hours ago
* Dan Lamothe and Alex Horton Hegseth details new initiatives in partisan address to troops September 30, 2026
NewsletterAs news breaks
World News Alerts
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* Trending
* Politics
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* Style
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* D.C., Md., & Va.
* Obituaries
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Tags:#الطيران#فلاي دبي#السعودية#حادث طيران#الأمن
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