Pilot opens cockpit mid-attack to save Flydubai flight — SkimNews
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Smit Machchhar opened the cockpit door from inside while injured during an in-flight attack, allowing others to enter and help regain control of the plane
- Flydubai flight plunged over 17,000 feet two hours into its journey from Dubai to Tel Aviv before passengers and crew subdued the attacker
- Passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot who attacked Machchhar, helping stabilize the aircraft and enabling a safe landing in Saudi Arabia
- Narendra Modi praised Machchhar’s 'courage, patience and quick decision-making' during a video call, stating it saved many lives
- Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Machchhar as a 'true hero' for his actions during the emergency
- Smit Machchhar was hospitalized in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, then airlifted to Abu Dhabi, where he is reported to be in stable condition and recovering well
Why it matters: Commercial aviation relies on strict cockpit security, but Machchhar’s decision to open the door under duress directly enabled intervention that likely prevented a crash. The incident underscores the unpredictable balance between protocol and human judgment in life-threatening emergencies, with one pilot’s injury leading to collective action that saved 167 people on board.
Ask SkimNews
