‘Israel’s 9/11 Averted’: Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Praised for Preventing Flydubai Crash

Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Hailed After Averting Flydubai Disaster

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is being widely praised after surviving a stabbing attack by his Omani co-pilot aboard a flydubai flight bound for Israel and helping prevent what authorities and Israeli officials described as a potentially catastrophic mid-air disaster.

Machchhar, who suffered serious injuries during the attack, is recovering at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy in the country said his condition was stable following surgery.

Friends and neighbours in Mumbai, where Machchhar grew up, described him as calm and composed even during his childhood.

What Happened Aboard the Flydubai Flight?

The incident occurred around two and a half hours after the Boeing 737 MAX 8 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv with 184 passengers on board.

The aircraft was cruising at around 33,000 feet over Saudi Arabia when the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. According to Israeli authorities and passengers, the captain was stabbed and the aircraft subsequently entered a steep descent.

Data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft dropping from approximately 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about a minute. The extreme manoeuvre reportedly caused damage to the aircraft’s rudder.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty crew members to enter the flight deck and intervene.

An Israeli plumber among the passengers reportedly reached the cockpit and helped pull the aircraft out of its dive after using knowledge gained from watching aviation documentaries. A dentist on board helped treat Machchhar’s wounds, while other passengers restrained the attacker using earphone cords.

An off-duty pilot subsequently took control of the aircraft, which was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia and landed safely.

‘Israel’s 9/11 Averted’

The incident has prompted strong praise in Israel and India.

Former Israeli government spokesperson Elon Levy described Machchhar’s actions as heroic and said the captain’s response prevented what could have become a mass-casualty attack.

“Without him, we would have had a mass casualty terror attack, no doubt,” Levy was quoted as saying by ANI, adding that the incident could have become “Israel’s 9/11”.

Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar also credited Machchhar with saving the lives of those aboard the aircraft.

“Due to the courage and resolve of Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, 184 passengers were saved,” Azar said. “If he hadn’t opened the door, the plane could have crashed.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have also praised the Indian pilot.

Modi said Machchhar had demonstrated “remarkable patience, presence of mind, and courage” and described his actions as a source of immense pride for India.

At an event, Modi referred to Netanyahu’s description of the incident, saying that “an Indian saved us from another 9/11”.

The Prime Minister also said he had spoken to Machchhar’s father Bhupendra, mother Geeta and wife Sonal, and urged people to pray for the pilot’s recovery.

Netanyahu, speaking to Fox News and CNN, described Machchhar’s actions as an “amazing act of heroism” that prevented a potential global disaster.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry called him a “hero”, saying the captain fought back after being stabbed in the cockpit.

Captain With Nearly 10,000 Hours of Flying Experience

Machchhar has more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience and approximately 9,750 flying hours.

He spent 11 years as a Line Training Captain with SpiceJet before joining flydubai.

His experience and ability to respond under extreme circumstances have drawn particular attention from aviation professionals.

Philip Kean, head of the New Zealand flight school where Machchhar trained, described the aircraft’s ability to withstand the forces generated during the steep descent as “miraculous”.

US President Donald Trump also praised Boeing and the 737 MAX’s structural performance, saying the aircraft had withstood forces and strain far beyond what it was designed to endure.

Friends Recall a Calm and Composed Pilot

News of Machchhar’s survival brought relief to his former neighbours and friends in Ghatkopar, Mumbai.

Childhood friend Prateek Gandhi told PTI that Machchhar had been calm and composed since he was young.

Neighbour Janit Shah also praised the captain’s ability to react instinctively despite suffering serious injuries, attributing his actions in part to the “muscle memory” developed through years of flying.

Machchhar remains under medical care in Saudi Arabia as he recovers from the injuries sustained in the cockpit.

Motive Behind Attack Still Under Investigation

The motive behind the alleged attack by the Omani co-pilot remains unclear.

Israeli officials said the suspect is in Saudi custody. Israeli investigators are expected to participate in the interrogation following discussions between Netanyahu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Authorities are examining several possibilities, including whether the incident was terrorism-related, a lone-wolf attack or connected to a wider network.

Netanyahu said it was too early to determine whether Iran had any involvement. Trump, who said he had discussed the incident with Netanyahu, described the co-pilot as potentially a “terrorist” or “whack job”.

The incident has also renewed international attention on cockpit security, crew screening, pilot background checks and safeguards against attacks by members of flight crews themselves.

Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel while authorities investigate the incident and establish how the attack unfolded.