BREAKING: Hero FlyDubai pilot speaks out on fighting attacker, tell me about this news today

Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian airline captain hailed as a hero for preventing a mid-air disaster aboard a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv, has spoken publicly from his hospital bed about the harrowing fight inside the cockpit.

Key details of the incident and his statements:

• The Attack: While operating FlyDubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Captain Machchhar was stabbed and severely injured by his co-pilot. During the altercation, the Boeing 737 entered a sharp, rapid dive, plunging thousands of feet in less than a minute.

  CBC

• Captain Machchhar’s Account: Speaking during a televised call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital, Machchhar recalled fighting for his life despite multiple stab wounds. He explained that with 17 years of flying experience, he could feel the aircraft plummeting and realized that if he did not get back up, all passengers aboard would die.

  WUSA9

• Thwarting the Threat: Despite his severe injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengersincluding off-duty personnelto rush in, overpower the attacker, and restrain him. The controls were stabilized, and the aircraft made a successful emergency diversion to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

  The Guardian

• Investigation and Suspect: The attacker, confirmed to be an Omani national, was detained following the emergency landing and transferred into custody as regional authorities investigate the motive behind the attack.

  The Guardian

• International Praise: Leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery, crediting his quick thinking and resilience with saving the lives of the roughly 180 passengers and crew members on board.

  Global News