Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for his bravery during a mid-air emergency on a flydubai flight. Machchhar reportedly saved the lives of nearly 180 passengers after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a knife and attempted to crash the aircraft on Wednesday. The incident began when the aircraft was flying towards Israel. According to Israeli officials, passengers and crew members helped stop the co-pilot after the attack on Machchhar. The struggle caused the aircraft to lose around 14,000 feet, or 4,267 metres, in less than 30 seconds. Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door. A spokesperson for Netanyahu told Reuters that the Indian pilot was covered in blood when he activated the cockpit door release. Passengers and crew then entered the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot. Two other flydubai pilots were also travelling on the aircraft. They took control and eventually landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu Praises Machchhar’s Courage

Netanyahu publicly praised Machchhar for his actions during the crisis. "My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery," the Israeli prime minister wrote in a post on X. "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 saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals," Netanyahu said. The Israeli prime minister also wished Machchhar a "speedy and full recovery".

My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.

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… — Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) September 30, 2026

Trump Calls Indian Pilot a ‘Hero’

Trump also praised Machchhar and called him a "hero". Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Netanyahu had shared details of the incident with him. Trump said Netanyahu told him that Machchhar, an Indian national, was in "very bad shape" after the attack. "The pilot was in very bad shape; I guess he still is in very bad shape, but he had the sense to, amazing, to, in a way he was a hero," Trump said while describing his conversation with Netanyahu. Trump also recalled how Machchhar responded after the alleged attack. According to Trump, the co-pilot stabbed Machchhar before the Indian pilot opened the cockpit door and managed to move back and "scream for help". "It seems as though the co-pilot was perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job, and he stabbed the pilot," the US President said.

Machchhar Receives Treatment in Saudi Arabia

Indian officials in Saudi Arabia said Machchhar is receiving medical treatment at a hospital in Tabuk, in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said it remains in contact with Machchhar’s family and Saudi authorities. Officials are also providing all possible assistance. The embassy said Machchhar is in stable condition.

Flydubai Urges Caution Over Incident

Flydubai said the reasons behind the incident remain unclear. The airline urged people to avoid "premature speculation" while authorities continue their investigation. Flydubai also suspended flights to and from Israel following the incident. Investigators are now examining what led to the confrontation between the two pilots. The exact motive behind the alleged attack and the circumstances surrounding the co-pilot’s actions remain unknown.