Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a “hero” following his intervention during a reported attempt to crash a flydubai flight headed for Israel. The incident, which involved an assault by Machchhar’s co-pilot, took place on Wednesday, and the pilot, aged thirty-eight, is currently receiving medical care in the United Arab Emirates.

During a phone call on Saturday, Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Machchhar’s bravery and invited him, along with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a flame during Israeli Independence Day celebrations. He stated that this honour is typically reserved for Israeli citizens, but in this case, the entire nation of Israel would embrace Machchhar.

Netanyahu’s office publicly commended Machchhar through a post on X, stating, “You are a hero for Israel, India, and the entire world.” It highlighted the emotional nature of their conversation and encouraged the pilot to recount the events that transpired in the cockpit.

Details of the Incident

On flight FZ1073, Machchhar faced a serious attack when his co-pilot used a crash axe, an emergency tool kept in the cockpit for critical situations. The flight was transporting one hundred seventy-four passengers and, following the attack, the aircraft initiated an emergency descent of over 17,000 feet, dropping from 34,000 feet before making an unscheduled landing in Saudi Arabia.

Machchhar recounted to Netanyahu that his co-pilot expressed a desire to pray prior to the incident. He explained that whilst respecting this request, he was unexpectedly struck from behind. “My first thought was that there was catastrophic damage to the aircraft,” he shared, adding that he quickly realised the danger was coming from his co-pilot rather than the flight itself.

The severity of the situation escalated as additional blows followed, prompting Machchhar’s quick thinking and response in an extremely challenging scenario. His actions were instrumental in ensuring the safety of the many individuals on board.

Reactions and Further Medical Care

Netanyahu expressed his admiration for Machchhar’s courage and composure, emphasising the many lives he saved and the larger significance of his actions during the crisis. He described Machchhar as a hero not only for Israel but also for the international community. “You saved so many souls. I think you saved something bigger,” he remarked, underscoring the widespread recognition of the pilot’s bravery.

The Wall Street Journal noted, citing reliable sources, that the co-pilot involved in the incident has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Following initial medical assistance in Tabuk, Machchhar was subsequently transferred to Abu Dhabi for ongoing treatment as he continues to recover from the incident.

In addition to the praise from Israel, the circumstances surrounding Machchhar’s actions have drawn significant international attention. The incident has not only highlighted the risks faced by pilots but has also fostered discussions on aviation safety protocols in extreme situations.

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