Mumbai, Oct 1 – Israel’s Consul General to Midwest India, Yaniv Revach, praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during a serious in‑flight incident on FlyDubai flight FZ1073. Revach called the pilot a “true superhero” who displayed extraordinary courage and fought to protect passengers.
The Boeing 737 was cruising at about 34,000 feet when a co‑pilot attempted to sabotage the aircraft and stabbed Captain Machchhar. The plane began descending rapidly, dropping from 34,000 to 23,000 feet per minute before stabilising at 15,600 feet. Captain Machchhar resisted the attacker, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to restrain the co‑pilot, preventing a potential tragedy for the more than 170 passengers on board.
Revach said the incident exemplified the “true spirit” of India‑Israel friendship and highlighted both nations’ joint efforts against terrorism. He criticised international media for portraying the event as a fight between pilots, calling it a “false narrative.”
The consul also warned about the influence of Qatar and Oman, noting their ties to Iran and the spread of anti‑Israel sentiment. He urged a full, transparent investigation by the UAE and Saudi authorities, stressing the need to confront radicalisation and hatred that can fuel terrorism.
Revach expressed pride in Captain Machchhar’s family and noted that the pilot’s Mumbai roots made the story particularly personal for Israel, which will remember the hero’s bravery.
