Dubai, Oct 4: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a “hero of the entire world” for his role in preventing an alleged attempt to seize control of a flydubai flight and has invited him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in Israel’s Independence Day celebrations.
Machchhar, 38, was seriously injured after being attacked by his co-pilot in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
Netanyahu spoke to Machchhar by phone on Saturday while the Indian pilot was undergoing treatment at a hospital in the UAE. A video of the conversation was later shared on social media.
During the conversation, Netanyahu invited Machchhar and Modi to light a ceremonial flame on Israel’s Independence Day, saying the honour is usually reserved for Israeli citizens.
“You are a hero for Israel, India and the entire world,” Netanyahu told the pilot.
Machchhar Recounts Attack
During the conversation, Machchhar described the moments leading up to the attack. He said the co-pilot had asked to pray and, while he was looking ahead, suddenly struck him from behind.
Machchhar initially believed the aircraft had suffered serious damage but soon realised that he was being attacked by the co-pilot.
He said his vision became blurred after the initial blows but he later realised that the aircraft was rapidly descending. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to intervene.
Two reserve pilots subsequently took control of the aircraft and landed it safely at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s courage and composure under what he described as extremely difficult circumstances, saying the pilot had saved many lives.
Co-Pilot Identified, Investigation Underway
The co-pilot has been identified in reports as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Reports citing people familiar with the matter said he had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns related to his ideological views. These claims have not been independently established in the report.
The co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar with a crash axe before attempting to take control of the aircraft. The motive remains under investigation.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers and reportedly made a rapid descent of more than 17,000 feet after an emergency was declared.
Passengers eventually overpowered the attacker and restrained him before the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE, which is leading the investigation, said the probe had found that the co-pilot allegedly attempted to carry out a “terrorist act.”
Machchhar later spoke with Prime Minister Modi by phone and recounted the incident. The Indian Embassy in the UAE said the pilot was in stable condition and recovering well.
Netanyahu also met Israeli passengers who helped subdue the attacker and praised them for their courage and actions in preventing what he described as a major disaster.
Israel’s Independence Day, Yom Ha’atzmaut, is observed on the fifth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, generally falling in April or May.
