'Smit Is A HERO': PM Modi, Netanyahu, Trump Praise Indian Pilot After Flydubai Cockpit Attack

Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been praised as a hero after allegedly being stabbed by the copilot during a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Machchhar, who has served as a flydubai Boeing 737 captain since 2022, reportedly helped prevent a potential disaster despite sustaining serious injuries. He underwent surgery and remains stable. Before joining flydubai, Machchhar spent 11 years with SpiceJet, where he served as a senior commander and line training captain. His profile lists around 9,750 flying hours on Boeing 737 aircraft, including more than 6,400 hours as pilot-in-command at SpiceJet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have praised Machchhar for his courage. The copilot was arrested by Saudi authorities, with his identity yet to be confirmed.