Indian flydubai pilot tells Modi 'could not let all those people die'
Summary
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar said he opened the door and helped save 174 passengers after an alleged attack by his co-pilot on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flydubai flight. The plane was diverted and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after plunging around 17,000 feet, avoiding a major disaster.
Key Points
- Smit Machchhar said he acted to protect passengers after being wounded during an alleged attack by his co-pilot aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- The Boeing 737 carried 174 passengers and was forced into an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after losing about 17,000 feet in a minute.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar’s actions in a video call, and Benjamin Netanyahu also credited him and the passengers with averting catastrophe.
- The confrontation is under investigation, and passengers reportedly rushed the cockpit to help regain control of the aircraft.
