Netanyahu Praises Indian Pilot for Saving 174 Lives After Flydubai Mid-Air Stabbing
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 30
Netanyahu Praises Indian Pilot for Saving 174 Lives After Flydubai Mid-Air Stabbing
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Sep 30
Summary
Netanyahu said Captain Smit Machchhar saved 174 people aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 after being stabbed by the co-pilot in an alleged bid to seize control.
Despite serious injuries, Machchhar fought back, opened the cockpit door and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker, who was arrested after the plane landed in Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu said.
Tabuk airport received the Boeing 737 Max 8 after it sent an emergency alert shortly after departing Dubai; Flydubai later flew all passengers on to Tel Aviv, where all arrived safely.
India's embassy in Riyadh said Machchhar was hospitalized in Tabuk and in stable condition, while Netanyahu's airport reception for passengers drew criticism from opposition leader Yair Lapid ahead of elections.