Hero pilot stabbed in mid-air attack made prophetic comment about the importance of team
Heroic pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed in a horror attack on a commercial flight today, spoke about the importance of having a good team around you while flying just last year.
Earlier today, the Flydubai flight, which was travelling from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv, suddenly dropped prompting an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Indian national Captain Machchhar is alleged to have been stabbed by his co-pilot in the cockpit while the plane was thousands of feet in the air.
The co-pilot, who has not yet been identified, is then alleged to have attempted to crash the aircraft, which was carrying dozens of passengers.
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Captain Machchhar has since been credited with helping to thwart a possible terror attack and hailed as a hero, after he reportedly bravely fought back against his attacker and opened up the cockpit door to alert crew.
Passenger Yaniv Hayun has said he grabbed the attacker and ‘put him in a chokehold’ before calling over to a couple of other passengers who were then able to pull him from the cockpit.
Describing Captain Machchhar as a 'true hero', Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "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."
Last year, Captain Machchhar appeared on CS Zalak Mehta’s YouTube channel where he spoke about life as a pilot.
On the episode, he was asked about how he handles irate passengers and said that he tried to ‘keep talking to them’ to calm the situation.
He then went on to talk about the importance of having a good cabin crew team around you.
He explained: “They go through rigorous training. They have to be trained for safety procedures, emergency procedures and first aid. When we are up there, and something happens, who is going to save you? They can save your life.
“When things are going wrong we need them.”
The Indian Embassy has since confirmed that Captain Machchhar was in a 'stable condition'.
A post on X read: "Our Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate in Jeddah have been following the health condition of Mr Smit Machchhar, the brave Indian pilot of Flydubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk today.
"He is admitted in a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia and receiving necessary medical attention. A full update on his health is awaited but he is reported to be in stable condition.
"We hope that he recovers from his injuries at the earliest. We are in touch with his family and assure them that we will continue to follow up on his health with Saudi authorities and extend all possible assistance for his wellbeing."
The alleged attacker has since been arrested.
Claire Reid