Flydubai captain praised after cockpit attack and emergency landing

Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian Flydubai pilot, is recovering after suffering stab wounds during an alleged cockpit attack aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to Israeli officials and news reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the flight’s co-pilot attacked Machchhar and attempted to take control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 on Wednesday. The aircraft reportedly descended from about 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in roughly a minute before passengers and crew subdued the alleged attacker.

Netanyahu praised Machchhar for resisting despite being seriously injured, opening the cockpit door and enabling others aboard to intervene. He said the captain’s actions saved 174 people. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commended Machchhar’s courage and wished him a swift recovery.

The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said Machchhar was in stable condition, according to the Associated Press. Two qualified pilots traveling as passengers reportedly helped stabilize the aircraft and guide it to a safe landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Cluster2 Airports, which manages Tabuk’s airport, said air traffic control received a distress call and landing request at 8:44 a.m. local time.

Flydubai temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel while authorities investigate. The airline said the pause would allow officials to establish the facts surrounding the incident and that passenger and crew safety remained its priority.