Netanyahu hails Indian pilot's "unbelievable courage" after flydubai attack
PM Netanyahu hails Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for preventing a disaster during a flydubai attack, recalling his brother's sacrifice.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lauded the "unbelievable courage" of Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar following a harrowing mid-air attack on a flydubai flight bound for Israel. Netanyahu credited the pilot's heroic actions, alongside brave passengers, with preventing what could have become "another 9/11."
A Mid-Air Struggle for Survival
The incident occurred aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 as it approached Israel. According to reports, an attacker attempted to seize control of the aircraft by attacking the pilot. The struggle resulted in the pilot being severely wounded and bleeding profusely, causing the plane to lose control and enter a dangerous nosedive.
Despite his critical injuries and the aircraft's unstable descent, Captain Machchhar fought for his life and managed to perform a final, vital act of heroism: unlocking the cockpit door. This allowed others to intervene and prevent a catastrophic outcome.
Heroic Intervention by Passengers
As the aircraft swerved, Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun rushed from row 16 toward the cockpit. Despite being knocked off his feet during the turbulence, Hayoun managed to enter the cockpit once the plane momentarily stabilized. He witnessed the attacker attempting to jam the flight instruments.
Key actions during the crisis:
- Yaniv Hayoun: Grabbed the attacker from behind, took control of the pilot's seat, and pulled the stick back to stabilize the flight.
- Captain Smit Machchhar: Despite being badly wounded, he unlocked the cockpit door to allow intervention.
- Co-passengers: Helped corral the attacker while reserve crew members worked to stabilize the plane.
Netanyahu noted that Hayoun, a plumber by profession, showed incredible "coolness of judgment." Reflecting on Hayoun's profession, the Prime Minister remarked, "He said, 'I'm a plumber. I unclog sewage clogs.' I said, 'Well, you certainly unclogged a big one this time.'"
A Personal Connection to Terrorism and Sacrifice
The ordeal resonated deeply with Netanyahu, drawing parallels to his own family's history with terrorism and hostage rescues. He recalled the sacrifice of his elder brother, Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu, who died during the historic 1976 Entebbe rescue operation.
Netanyahu also shared his personal experience of being wounded during a previous rescue mission involving a hijacked Belgian Sabena airplane. This mission, carried out by the same unit that later executed the Entebbe raid, highlighted the ongoing struggle against Islamist terrorism.
"They stopped a disaster that could have been global," Netanyahu concluded, praising the collective bravery that saved 174 passengers on board.