Smit Machchhar hailed as hero after averting flydubai crash
Summary
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar is recovering in a Saudi Arabian hospital after successfully diverting a flydubai jet bound for Israel, following a mid-air stabbing by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash the plane. Hailed as a hero by both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Machchhar's actions saved the lives of 174 people on board. His career in aviation began relatively late, after initially training in textile engineering, but he has since become a seasoned pilot with nearly 9,750 hours of flying experience. The incident underscores the close cooperation between India and Israel in aviation security, as both nations recognize the significance of such bravery in ensuring passenger safety.