Indian Captain Honored by Israeli PM After Preventing Plane Crash

Israeli PM praises Indian pilot who stopped co-pilot from crashing flight. 174 lives saved in dramatic incident.

October 1, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Mumbai, India — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recognized Indian airline captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery during a near-catastrophic event on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026.

Machchhar, who was stabbed and injured during an altercation with the co-pilot, managed to subdue the attacker and prevent a potential mid-air disaster. His actions are credited with saving the lives of 174 passengers, including Israeli citizens and other nationalities, according to reports.

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The flight, FZ1073, transmitted emergency signals and made an abrupt descent before being diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Tabuk. The co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, was suspected of attempting to crash the aircraft. Israeli passengers assisted in subduing the attacker, while Machchhar, a seasoned pilot with over 9,500 flying hours, played a critical role in averting the tragedy.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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