Pilot who helped save hijacked plane identified as Indian Smit Machchhar
The pilot who unlocked the cockpit door of a hijacked Flydubai flight after getting stabbed to allow passengers to storm the cockpit was identified by officials as Indian national Smit Machchhar.
TL;DR
- Indian national Smit Machchhar identified as the pilot who unlocked the cockpit door during a hijacking.
- Machchhar fought off his co-pilot, was stabbed, but managed to open the cockpit door.
- Passengers stormed the cockpit and subdued the hijacker, preventing a mid-air disaster.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar as a 'true hero' for saving 174 lives.
- Machchhar is in stable condition at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- He previously flew for SpiceJet and had extensive experience on Boeing 737 aircraft.
- Machchhar's co-pilot, an Omani national, has not yet been named.