Captain Smit Machchhar fought off a mid-air cockpit attack during a Flydubai flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, opening the cockpit door while seriously wounded to let passengers and crew subdue the attacker before the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Roughly 20 minutes following the transmission of these signals, the aircraft commenced its manual descent toward a Saudi Arabian landing, and under an hour afterward, the jet went back to squawking 7700.
Passengers and Crew Subdue Attacker to Save Flight
Inside the cabin, passengers heard screams as the aircraft pitched downward.
That action enabled passengers and crew to rush in. Yaniv Hayoun, whom Netanyahu described as a plumber, put the attacker in a chokehold. Speaking to Israeli public broadcaster Kan News, Zvika Meness recounted that he and fellow travelers bound the assailant using the man’s own zip ties alongside multimedia headphones. Dr Shota Musayev, an Israeli dentist who was onboard the flight, rendered first aid, stating that he found the pilot in very bad shape with heavy bleeding from his head and managed to stop the bleeding and stabilize his blood pressure.
Off-duty relief pilots travelling on the flight entered the cockpit, pulled the yoke, and landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. One passenger, Almog Itali, described how relief European pilots—including an off-duty British pilot—entered the cockpit and pulled the aircraft up, pulled the yoke, and stabilized the plane. Aviation experts noted that the aircraft narrowly avoided breaking apart under the aerodynamic forces of the rapid descent. Steve Arroyo, a former United Airlines pilot and aviation safety expert, described the event as a serious descent with strong aerodynamic forces on the rudder, while Jeff Guzzetti stated that recovery was only possible because sufficient altitude remained when the pilots regained control.
International Leaders Praise Captain Machchhar and Passenger Bravery
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.
Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed that Captain Machchhar underwent surgery at a hospital in Tabuk and was listed in a stable condition.
Airlines Plan Airlifts as Investigations Continue into the Motive
A replacement Flydubai rescue flight evacuated them from Tabuk, arriving at Ben Gurion Airport late Wednesday.
Flydubai suspended all flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv while investigators work to establish the motives behind the attack. In response to stranded travellers remaining in the UAE, Israeli carriers El Al, Israir, and Arkia prepared special rescue schedules subject to security clearance from the Shin Bet. El Al announced rescue fares starting at $249, while Israir scheduled flights starting at $299 and Arkia opened bookings starting at $279.
The alleged attacker remains in Saudi custody undergoing interrogation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that it is too early to determine whether Iran had any involvement in the incident.
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