Update: ‘Hero’ pilot, plumber and dentist among those who saved flydubai flight to Israel

Severely injured and bleeding on the flight deck floor, flydubai co-pilot Smit Machchhar managed to trigger the emergency release mechanism on the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to storm the cabin, overpower an attacker, and save 174 passengers from disaster.

The flight, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, descended nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds after Machchhar was stabbed by his fellow pilot in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft.

Machchhar, originally from Mumbai, underwent surgery at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft made a safe emergency landing.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the pilot on X, writing:
“In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the commendation, highlighting Machchhar's crucial role in unlocking the cockpit from the inside despite heavy blood loss and severe wounds.

As the aircraft spiraled downward, passengers and off-duty crew members rushed forward to intervene. Among them were Yaniv Hayoun described by Netanyahu as a plumber and Dr. Shota Musaev, a dentist who administered emergency aid to stabilize Machchhar as his blood pressure plummeted.

“He was covered in cuts, his head, his hands, they were practically sliced open, almost severed in two… he had lost a lot of blood and was in bad shape,” Dr. Musaev told CNN.

Passengers and off-duty relief pilots including a British pilot traveling as part of a relief crew, subdued the assailant, restrained him using headphone cords and plastic zip-ties, and pulled the aircraft out of its nosedive before landing safely in Saudi territory.