Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a “true hero” after he helped thwart a suspected terror attack aboard a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.
Machchhar spoke with Netanyahu by phone on Saturday while recovering from his injuries in the United Arab Emirates. During the conversation, he described how his Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit as the aircraft was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
According to Machchhar, his co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, asked to pray shortly before the incident. About four or five minutes later, Machchhar said he was suddenly struck forcefully on the back of his head.
“At first, I thought something catastrophic had happened to the aircraft,” Machchhar recalled. However, the blows continued, and he soon realized that he was being attacked by the co-pilot.
The UAE prosecutor general said al-Hammami used a cockpit emergency crash axe to attack the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Such axes are kept in aircraft cockpits for emergency situations, including breaking windows and cutting through panels.
Machchhar said he was barely able to see after being repeatedly struck when he felt the aircraft suddenly begin to descend sharply.
His first attempt to open the cockpit door was blocked by the co-pilot. Lying on the cockpit floor, he recalled hearing passengers screaming outside.
“I had that one last fight left in me,” Machchhar said, recalling that he realized he had to act to survive.
Despite his injuries, he managed to reach the cockpit door and open it. Passengers waiting outside then rushed into the cockpit and helped regain control of the aircraft.
Machchhar explained that the cockpit door can be opened from inside using a twist mechanism, while people outside must enter a security code. He said his colleagues had attempted to enter the code, but the co-pilot prevented the door from being opened.
“I managed to reach the doorknob and give it a short, quick twist,” Machchhar said.
Netanyahu praised the pilot for his courage and described the incident as a remarkable act of bravery.
“It’s a twist of fate, and it’s a twist of faith, and what you did is remarkable,” Netanyahu told him.
During the call, Netanyahu also invited Machchhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a ceremonial torch at Israel’s next Independence Day celebration. However, the prime minister does not have unilateral authority to select torch lighters, who are chosen through an established public advisory and government approval process.
“You are a hero of Israel, you are a hero of India, and you are a hero of the entire world,” Netanyahu told Machchhar, adding that he would be welcomed warmly in Israel.
The incident has also raised questions about security procedures and whether warning signs were missed before the attack, as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the near-disaster.
