Flydubai Flight | '9/11-Style Attack': Israel Says Flydubai Pilot Allegedly Tried To Crash Aircraft

The flydubai hero who thwarted an alleged sabotage attempt by his co-pilot during a mid-air cockpit clash has been identified as an Indian aviator, sources have told NDTV. Captain Smit Machchhar fought off the co-pilot who allegedly tried to sabotage the plane's systems, saving the lives of as many as 180 passengers on board the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, they added. Stabbed during the clash, he was left bloodied, as visuals showed passengers praising him as a hero. "You saved the plane, you did well," they told the pilot as he struggled to speak. Sources said the injured pilot is now recovering at a hospital in Saudi Arabia and that flydubai is in touch with his family and Indian authorities. The confrontation sparked brief hijacking fears earlier today, but it was soon ruled out, with some fellow pilots taking over the cockpit and securing a safe landing to a diverted location in Saudi Arabia. Israel has described the Flydubai FDB1073 incident as a “9/11-style attack”, with senior Israeli officials alleging that an Omani pilot attempted to take control of the aircraft and crash it.