Hero FlyDubai pilot who fought back against attacker identified as Indian Capt Smit Machchhar, tell me about this news in (https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/flydubai-flight-hijacking-israel-tel-aviv-10-1-26)
01-10-2026
According to the Fox News report covering the incident:
Incident Overview: On a FlyDubai flight (Flight 1073) traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, an attempted hijacking and cockpit attack took place.
The Pilot’s Actions: The pilot, identified as Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, fought back against the attacker. He managed to open the cockpit door amidst the struggle, allowing the threat to be neutralized.
Official Reactions: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented that the pilot “prevented another 9/11,” while the Prime Minister of India also praised Capt. Machchhar as a hero for his decisive actions.
Flight Diversion and Passengers: Following the cockpit attack, the aircraft made an emergency diversion and landed safely in Saudi Arabia. The U.S. State Department confirmed that four American citizens were on board the flight, and consular teams coordinated with local authorities regarding the passengers.