Israel to honour Indian pilot for heroism during mid-air attack

Smit Machchhar, a captain with UAE-based carrier flydubai, is set to be honoured by the Israeli government for his actions during a serious in-flight emergency. The Indian pilot received injuries after being attacked by his co-pilot, who allegedly attempted to deliberately crash the aircraft during flight.

Despite being stabbed, Machchhar managed to maintain control of the aircraft and prevented the co-pilot's apparent attempt to cause a catastrophic incident. His swift response and professional handling of the emergency situation ensured the safety of all passengers and crew members aboard the flight.

The Israeli government's decision to present Machchhar with a civilian heroism award recognises his exceptional courage and composure during the crisis. The recognition underscores the critical role of aviation professionals in safeguarding lives at thousands of metres above the ground.

The incident has drawn international attention to safety protocols within commercial aviation and the psychological screening procedures for flight crew members. Machchhar's actions have been widely praised by aviation authorities and industry experts as exemplary conduct during an unprecedented emergency.