FlyDubai flight update as heroic pilot who fought off ‘terrorist’ co-pilot named | World | News
The heroic pilot who fought off his co-pilot as they allegedly tried to hijack a FlyDubai flight and crash the aircraft has been named. Indian national Smit Machchhar, who has clocked nearly 10,000 hours in the air, was stabbed by his first officer as he tried to take control of flight FZ1073 from the UAE and bound for Tel Aviv, Israel. The aircraft then plunged 18,000 feet. The veteran pilot has been credited for averting a possible terror attack, according to Indian and Israeli outlets. Mr Machchhar reportedly alerted the Boeing 737 Max 8 plane’s crew and passengers, who managed to intervene. He was stabbed several times in the attack, officials said, and was rushed to the hospital after the plane was delivered to Saudi Arabia. Some of the passengers onboard also filmed horrific footage of one of the pilots covered in blood. The flight from Dubai, carrying more than 150 people, transmitted an emergency code indicating a possible unlawful disruption, prompting fears of a hijacking. Israeli and Saudi fighter jets were reportedly scrambled and …
