A FlyDubai pilot was called “extraordinarily brave” after fighting a colleague on a flight bound for Tel Aviv, despite being stabbed. Israeli security services believe there may have been a plan to crash the aircraft into an Israeli city in a “9/11 scenario”.
Emergency alert and attack
FlyDubai flight FZ1073 issued an emergency hijacking alert shortly after 6.30am BST today. The wounded pilot, named as Indian national Smit Machchhar by his country’s embassy in Saudi Arabia, is said to have opened the cockpit door so others could overpower the attacker, who is thought to be from Oman.
One pilot was reportedly stabbed during the ordeal, and the pilot who carried out the stabbing has been arrested.
Netanyahu praises pilot
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: “Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, he fought back, resisted, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker — preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster.” He added: “He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals. I wish Captain Machchhar a speedy and full recovery.”
Mr Machchhar is in a stable condition in hospital.
Passengers and crew respond
Two other pilots, who were on board ahead of a connection flight from Tel Aviv, reportedly helped take control of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and land it. A passenger claimed one of them was British.
Terrified witnesses say brave passengers had managed to restrain the alleged attacker after hearing screams as the plane, carrying around 150 people, plummeted 17,000ft in two minutes.
