The pilot who was stabbed by his “terrorist” co-pilot as he tried to take control of a flydubai flight bound for Israel has been identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar.
Machchhar, who has nearly 10,000 hours in the air, was credited as averting a possible terror attack on Tuesday, according to Indian and Israeli outlets.
The veteran pilot reportedly fought back against his treacherous first officer and alerted the crew and passengers aboard the plane, who managed to intervene.
Two off-duty pilots took control of the plane and landed it safely in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar was stabbed several times in the attack, officials said, with the pilot rushed to the hospital after the plane was delivered to Saudi Arabia.
