- 41 minutes ago
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying 174 passengers faced midair terror after an Omani co-pilot attacked and stabbed the Indian captain, Smit Muchhar, inside the cockpit.
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00:01Indian pilot foils mid-air disaster.
00:07He fought to save 174 lives.
00:16The 30 second fight for control.
00:24When danger came from inside the cockpit.
00:33True hero who prevented another 9-11.
00:42We salute you Captain Smith.
00:51The hero of our skies.
01:00Hello and welcome. Good evening. You're watching Super 6 here on India Today.
01:03I'm Akshita Nandakopal and over the next 30 minutes I'm going to be getting you all the details emerging on
01:08the incident concerning flight Dubai.
01:10We've given you a glimpse of really all of the praise that's pouring in for Captain Smith Machaj right now.
01:17The questions however that remain unanswered on the probe on the Omani pilot who was involved in the stabbing incident.
01:25Was he trying to hijack the plane?
01:27By the way, we still don't know his name.
01:29It's not been disclosed for security reasons apparently.
01:32We're going to be getting you all the details on the story.
01:35Answer some of the questions that you have on the investigation so far into this incident and much more.
01:41We begin with the headlines.
01:47Indian pilot Smith Machaj saves lives of 174 people.
01:52The hero who foiled terror attack on board Dubai Tel Aviv flight videos emerge from the flight showing Machaj lying
01:58in a pool of blood and talking about being stabbed repeatedly.
02:07Prime Minister Modi hails heroics of India's Braveheart pilot says Captain Smith prevented another 9-11 as the world is
02:17proud of the captain's bravery and valor.
02:19Prime Minister Modi speaks to wife and parents of Smith Machaj.
02:47And the world is lauding the hero Indian pilot for saving 174 lives.
02:53Netanyahu salutes pilot Smith Machaj, wishes him a speedy recovery.
02:57Trump calls Indian pilot a true hero.
03:02He stabbed the pilot.
03:04The pilot was in very bad shape.
03:07And I guess he still is in very bad shape.
03:10But he had the sense to amazing to, in a way, he was a hero.
03:18Israeli ambassador to India, Ruben Azhar, heaps praise on hero Indian pilot.
03:23Says we'll certainly do more to recognize the role of the Indian hero.
03:34Spice Jit top boss hails Smith's valour answers on security on flights and in cockpit.
03:43It's a moment of extreme great pride for all of us.
03:46We are just incredibly proud that Smith did his duty.
03:54Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shiv Kumar stages Dharna outside poll body office in Bengaluru claims at least 10,000
04:00voters being deleted from every constituency during SIR process.
04:05DKS demands probe into alleged discrepancies.
04:21It was 8.35 on Wednesday morning when a fly Dubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv witnessed an unprecedented
04:29cockpit attack.
04:31As the flight reached 30,000 feet, there was some sort of a scuffle that broke out between the pilot
04:36and copilot.
04:36Within seconds, that aircraft plunged more than 14,000 feet.
04:42In fact, in a matter of just 30 seconds, it dropped right down.
04:45And clearly things were out of control.
04:47The copilot stabbed Captain, who we now know is the Indian pilot, Smith Machar, with a sharp object.
04:55This was an Omani copilot who resorted to this attack.
04:59At 11.01 a.m., a general emergency broadcast was issued.
05:04A hijack code was also activated.
05:07Immediately on ground, personnel knew that something's not right.
05:12Captain Smith stabbed, attacked, bleeding, opened the cockpit door, allowed passengers, crew members to rush and intervene and take control
05:22of the aircraft.
05:23And there are multiple heroic stories here.
05:26It almost plays out like a film script.
05:28Because not just did this captain survive that kind of an attack.
05:32Lying in a pool of blood, he crawled open to the door, allowed people to come in and therefore 174
05:38lives were saved.
05:39And then the hero passengers, who rushed into the cockpit, saved Captain Machar, but also ensured that they took control.
05:50The aircraft's altitude dropped rapidly within seconds.
05:54Smith managed to regain control of the flight.
05:56And then the flight landed safely.
05:59This was at 12.15 p.m.
06:00So, hours of this drama playing out, it finally landed in Saudi Arabia.
06:06There's now a video that's emerged just after the attack.
06:09Once emergency personnel reached the spot and pulled out Captain Smith Machar, he's seen lying in a pool of blood,
06:17conscious, speaking to the personnel there.
06:19He's, in fact, heard saying, he stabbed me multiple times.
06:24I'm able to move my hand but can't go ahead and do this.
06:27Seemingly to suggest that he's not able to clench his fingers.
06:31Now, the accused pilot, the co-pilot, the Omani pilot, and the only reason I refer to him in that
06:35manner is because we still don't have a name.
06:37He's seen tied up in the video, again by personnel.
06:40Passengers, crew members are seen helping Captain Smith Machar.
06:44Later, the captain has been shifted, airlifted to Abu Dhabi for further treatment.
06:49But let me play out for you the sequence we're showing on our screens, where you can hear the captain,
06:54conscious, speaking to the personnel, describing what happened.
06:58I can move but I can't do this.
06:59He just, he hit me like so many times.
07:05My hand, I can move but I can't do this.
07:09I can't, I can't squeeze my hand.
07:29Absolutely extraordinary courage that this Indian pilot showed in the face of what could have been one of the worst
07:36hijack incidents if this continued.
07:39If he hadn't gone ahead and opened the door and acted in such a brave manner.
07:43This is an aviation SOS.
07:46Captain Machar fought back, saved 174 lives.
07:50But if things had taken a very different turn, if Captain Machar was stabbed so bad he couldn't move,
07:57you shudder to think what would have actually happened.
07:59But let's play out for you what we know of what transpired inside that cockpit.
08:04This is based on eyewitness accounts, this is based on what the passengers saw on board.
08:13At 35,000 feet, the cockpit turned into a battleground.
08:21A pilot stabbed, a plane plunging and 174 lives hanging in the balance.
08:35But in those terrifying seconds, an Indian pilot fought back.
08:40Captain Smith Machar, the man now being hailed a hero across the world.
08:47The Dubai-based Indian pilot from Gujarat was at the controls of Fly Dubai Flight FZ-1073 bound for Tel
08:55Aviv when the alleged attack unfolded.
09:01According to Israeli officials and passengers accounts, an altercation broke out between the pilot and the Omani co-pilot.
09:12Smith was then attacked and stabbed multiple times by his Omani co-pilot.
09:20But even while profusely bleeding, Smith managed to open the cockpit door with whatever strength he was left with.
09:27And that changed everything.
09:30Passengers rushed into the cockpit.
09:33A dentist on board was first one to administer first aid to Captain Smith.
09:59The engineer pilot somehow managed to open the door.
10:07So we won't get inside.
10:10Everyone was a hero.
10:15The alleged attacker was pulled away from the controls, which he was wrecking.
10:42The plane had already plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
10:50The two other pilots were present.
10:53On board took over.
10:55The aircraft was eventually stabilised and diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it safely landed.
11:04From cockpit cures to a safe landing.
11:06This was a battle to save 174 lives measured in seconds.
11:12And Captain Smith's courage stood at the heart of it.
11:16Bureau Report, India Today.
11:24At 6pm this evening, let's break down for you six big questions that have come up on this particular case.
11:31We're also going to be answering those questions for you one by one.
11:35First question that everyone's asking right now.
11:38Who is the attacker pilot?
11:40Well, no name mentioned at this point.
11:44No details given officially at this point.
11:46But here's what we've been able to gather from multiple news reports.
11:50CBS News has said that the pilot who attacked Captain Smith Machar was an Omani national
11:55and allegedly attempted to crash the Fly Dubai flight, which is why many have referred to this as a 9
12:03-11 rerun that almost happened.
12:06One of the co-pilots also told Israel's Channel 16 that the Omani co-pilot had joined Fly Dubai just
12:13eight months ago.
12:15He was reportedly seen praying excessively throughout the day, so much so that he reportedly refused to shake hands with
12:22women.
12:22This is based on an employee of Fly Dubai, another pilot who speaks of his experience with this Omani pilot.
12:30What's the latest on the investigation?
12:31He's been brought to Saudi Arabia for questioning for interrogation.
12:35Like I said, motive, who he is, none of those details have been made public right now.
12:41And the reason, authorities say, is because there's a very sensitive investigation.
12:45They say that this is something that we need 100% details of.
12:49But there will be questions about why this pilot who resorted to this kind of an attack, who attempted a
12:55hijack,
12:57who attempted to crash a plane and kill 174 people is being shielded in this manner.
13:01Pranay Upadhyay of India Today Global is joining us with more details on this.
13:04Pranay, good evening.
13:06Explain to us what is the process, Pranay, that leads to authorities, countries saying we can't divulge or reveal the
13:13identity of the accused.
13:19There are many reasons, Akshita, here.
13:21Because, you know, right now the UAE authorities are investigating the case because the aircraft is a UAE carrier aircraft.
13:27And in fact, they are analyzing the cockpit voice recorder, the flight data recorder, what exactly transpired between these two
13:33pilots.
13:33As far as the identity and nationality of the individual, the co-pilot who attacked Indian pilot, Captain Smith Machair,
13:41is being withheld by these authorities.
13:43And in fact, the official statement put out by the UAE authorities also does not mention any name pertaining to
13:50this individual.
13:51Though, he was arrested by the Saudi authorities, he is being investigated by the Saudi authorities.
13:57And so far, there is no statement by Saudi or the Omani authorities as yet.
14:01Certainly, it raises many questions regarding why the identity is being concealed, or not being revealed rather, about this individual.
14:09What exactly is the motive?
14:10Was he acting alone, or were there any accomplices on board, or what exactly was the motive?
14:17How did it happen?
14:18All these things are part of investigation.
14:20But right now, the statement put out by the UAE authorities clearly mentions that they want to insist that they
14:26have the authority and they want to investigate this entire issue.
14:30Meanwhile, reports are also coming in that Captain Smith Machair is also being transported to UAE, where his family is
14:37there.
14:37Recently, Indian ambassador in Abu Dhabi met his family in Dubai.
14:42And in fact, the government of India is also extending all possible help.
14:45So, it's a multinational investigation, per se, if you, because the aircraft is still on Saudi soil.
14:50Most of the investigation materials are lying with the Saudi authorities, and now UAE authorities are trying to carry out
14:56the further investigation in this matter.
14:59Look, it is, of course, a very delicate state of affairs, a sensitive state of affairs.
15:05But having said that, the question that will constantly come up right now, and Pranay, stay with me, is about
15:10motive.
15:11The reason everyone's asking who this person is, is because there's a serious question about what he intended to do.
15:17And let's bring up that question.
15:19What's the motive to ensure another 9-11?
15:22Was this a rerun of 9-11?
15:24Was he attempting to crash the plane?
15:26So, on this, there are many versions that have come to the fore.
15:29You've got Benjamin Netanyahu, you've got Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all comparing this attack to 9-11.
15:38And suggesting that Indian pilot, that Captain Machir, actually stopped a 9-11 rerun.
15:44Let's listen in first to what Netanyahu, to what Prime Minister Modi said.
15:49Now, you have the possibility of having another 9-11, and an Israeli passenger, a civilian.
15:56I met this guy.
15:57He's an incredible hero.
15:59Look at what he did under impossible circumstances.
16:02I spoke earlier today with President Trump, who really was appreciative of this.
16:06And he said, you know, when the plane is nosediving, the passengers, including 30 children, are already saying their prayers.
16:12I know they're gone from this world.
16:14And this young man just acts with incredible, incredible heroism,
16:21and saves the day, along with the Indian pilot who was there, and the others who came to help.
16:27Today, what happened to me today, is that Captain Smith, who was there, and the others who came to help.
16:56And today Israel's Pradhanmateri said that Hindustani saved 9-11 from 9-11.
17:18Motive?
17:19We don't know.
17:19But clearly at this point the modus operandi does suggest that there is a possibility that
17:25what this Omani pilot was attempting to do was to ensure another attack like 9-11.
17:31Now third question.
17:33What was used in this attack on Captain Smith Machar?
17:38How did this Omani pilot attack him?
17:41How did he stab him?
17:42Because there are very elaborate security checks that take place.
17:45So you've got again some versions here.
17:48Nathan Yahoo says that Captain Smith was actually stabbed by an axe.
17:52An axe which is present in the cockpit.
17:55It's protocol to have that kind of an axe because in case of an emergency,
17:59it's kept in a glass shelf.
18:01You've seen this of course in different locations.
18:03It's there.
18:04A different version of it at least is there inside a plane as well.
18:07A passenger who helped subdue the alleged attacker told the Israeli Prime Minister that the co-pilot appeared to be
18:14trying to disable the aircraft's control and systems.
18:18A second set of pilots were travelling on board, which by the way was just fortunate.
18:23They took over the controls.
18:24They stabilised the aircraft.
18:25They diverted it to Tabuka in Saudi Arabia where it landed safely.
18:30So these are the details.
18:31We know what was used to attack.
18:32There are two versions.
18:33One is that there was an axe.
18:34Another there was a pocket knife.
18:35It's yet to be clarified on exactly which was used to.
18:39Nathan Yahoo suggests it was very much that axe.
18:43Well, look, on a flight from Dubai to Israel, as they were approaching Israel,
18:51there was an attack by one of the pilots against the other pilot.
18:57Apparently he stabbed him or he hit him with an axe.
19:00He was bleeding profusely.
19:02The plane began to go out of control and began a nosedive.
19:09So either this co-pilot managed to take in a weapon, even if it was a pocket knife, or he
19:15used the axe.
19:16We're seeing multiple unfortunate incidents like this take place.
19:20And that brings me to the next question.
19:22Has aviation security gone for a toss?
19:26What is the protocol that's usually followed when it comes to cockpit security?
19:30You know, there are all sorts of steps, measures taken to ensure passengers cannot enter the cockpit.
19:36But what happens if a pilot can't be trusted?
19:39Let's recreate for you exactly what happened.
19:42What happened inside that flight?
19:43What does it look like inside the cockpit?
19:46How did this pilot manage to attack Captain Machar?
19:50Let's get you those details.
19:51There's a 360 degree view of the mid-air terror.
19:54Amit Bharatwaj with this report.
19:56What's happened?
19:57Emergency code very rightly.
19:58Okay.
19:59On time.
20:00On time the emergency code squawk must have been done.
20:03So suppose I am the first officer when it is being said that I try to take over controls.
20:07What exactly I must have done or that co-pilot must have done?
20:12You can change the altitude and change the heading from that only which you are holding right now.
20:18Right.
20:18So it means you are controlling the aircraft right now.
20:21So once I'll try to show, I'll ask Manish to bring you the camera here.
20:26The altitude is setting up to 30,000 right?
20:30So we are setting up at 30,000.
20:32And what happened after that is the first officer who was not supposed to have the controls on the day.
20:38He must have touched this altitude controlling buttons, right?
20:42Nob.
20:43Yes.
20:43He have changed the altitude, whichever he's want.
20:46But as...
20:48What would have been the communication from the captain's side at that point in time?
20:52So he can say that we are not supposed to do these altercation in the altitude.
20:59So why are you changing the altitude?
21:01Right.
21:02So that must have...
21:04This must have been unauthorized access to the panel and that is why the captain must have intervened.
21:09So whoever is the pilot flying can only test these panels only.
21:13So pilot monitoring cannot test these...
21:16Change these monitors.
21:17Change these monitors.
21:19Controls.
21:20Yeah.
21:20Without the permission of the pilot flying.
21:23Okay.
21:23So he changed that.
21:25Now there are, you know, readings being made that possibly the first officer also tried to play with the panels
21:32in a way that the flight controls go off completely.
21:37So what could have been possible attempts done by him?
21:41So he can change the altitude, he can change the heading, he can change the speed.
21:46So he can dive, he can change the altitude to the lower altitude so that he can dive.
21:51Okay.
21:52So that is why multiple times the balance was lost and it was achieved.
21:55Yes.
21:55So there would have been constant confrontation between both the pilots and that is, that could have resulted into constant
22:02ups and downs in the aircraft altitude.
22:04Exactly.
22:05So that's how you have the answer of what possibly happened inside.
22:11What we've seen is absolute heroism by Captain Machar.
22:16But it reminds you of another incident, that of Neerja Banot, which of course now has been immortalized in a
22:23sense because we've all seen a film based on her story.
22:26Why are there similarities being drawn between both these incidents?
22:30Neerja Banot was a case that dates back to 1986 of a Pan Am flight that was hijacked.
22:36In this case, of course, you have a fly Dubai aircraft where there was an attack inside the cockpit on
22:41the captain, on the pilot of the aircraft.
22:45What did Neerja do?
22:46When we refer to this hijacking incident, why is there a similarity?
22:49Because similarly here too, when the hijacking took place, Neerja stood up to the hijackers.
22:55She took them on.
22:56She faced these armed hijackers, pushed back and saved the lives of countless passengers.
23:02Here in the case of Captain Machar, again, he faced an attacking co-pilot, warded him off and opened the
23:08door to ensure that others could also stream in and immediately restrain the attacker pilot.
23:13So both of them faced these armed hijackers head on to ensure that passengers were put at risk, going beyond
23:22really a call of duty.
23:23Neerja Banot at that point also helped passengers escape, ensured they made it out of the peril and danger to
23:30her own life.
23:31As far as Captain Machar goes, he fought to regain control of the aircraft, stabbed multiple times, was bleeding.
23:37And despite that, ensured that he could do everything to protect the passengers, the 174 people who were on board
23:44this particular aircraft.
23:46Unfortunately, Neerja didn't make it after that attack.
23:49As far as Captain Machar goes, he is right now being treated in Abu Dhabi.
23:55He is doing okay at this point.
24:02Let's cut across now to breaking news that's coming in on this story.
24:08You've got Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking out on the attacker pilot.
24:13says suspect in the plane stabbing underwent, according to him, Islamist radical indoctrination.
24:22Now what exactly is he referring to?
24:25We don't have the details really of what he means by Islamist indoctrination.
24:29But the Israeli Prime Minister making this big, big statement.
24:33There is very little known about the Omani co-pilot who went on the stabbing spree against Captain Smith Machar.
24:40But Netanyahu suggests that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.
24:45Mind you, earlier in this broadcast I also told you about how some of the colleagues of this co-pilot
24:52said and suggested that he was someone who would pray multiple times, wasn't okay with even shaking hands with a
24:58woman.
24:59But now you've got the Israeli Prime Minister taking it a step forward and saying that this co-pilot
25:04underwent Islamist radical indoctrination, suggesting that this could be an element of Islamist terror.
25:13Now what is the evidence so far that we have on this?
25:16Well, nothing that's been officially stated.
25:19This is, however, a comment that's come in from the Israeli Prime Minister.
25:24Netanyahu saying that Islamist radical indoctrination took place.
25:30So that's a big update coming in. Let's cut across to more breaking news.
25:36Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has spoken out on the incident, on the alleged hijacking.
25:43Speaking to India today, he's lauded the courage of Captain Machar, saying this is an act of courage
25:49and this is exemplary work by the captain and that he saved many, many lives.
25:54The Civil Aviation Minister saying at this point that after a preliminary report comes in from Flight Dubai,
26:00India will also act to further tighten security at airports.
26:05This is something that, of course, India's already keeping in mind, considering.
26:10And there's also talk of full body scanners very, very soon at airports across the country.
26:14Let's play out for you that exclusive conversation.
26:17If we have heard of it, we have heard of it in the future of Cairo,
26:43speaking to the Taliban.
26:44You have heard about it.
26:57I think he has done an exemplary work.
26:59I think he has done an impact on the life of the people.
27:06So, this is a very good place.
27:10But what do we say?
27:14Security-wise, do we have to come to our aviation sector?
27:19If we ask the safety of aviation, we are always going to be alert mode.
27:24Because safety and security, I have said that this is a top priority for aviation operations.
27:32We have no compromise attitude with no compromise.
27:34And when incidents come in the country or somewhere else,
27:38we have learned something that we can learn.
27:41We can learn something that we can do better.
27:46So we can do that.
27:49We can do that in order to investigate them.
27:55So if we can get one full-fledged information,
27:59then we can do it.
28:03The report is shown in action mode.
28:05We can do something to do better for him.
28:11Thank you very much.
28:41Thank you very much.