Indian pilot stops co-pilot attack on Dubai to Tel Aviv flight

An Indian pilot saved 182 lives after his co-pilot attacked him mid-flight on Wednesday. Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a FlyDubai Boeing 737 from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot stabbed him. Despite serious injuries, Machchhar stayed conscious and kept control. He opened the cockpit door so passengers and crew could enter and hold the attacker down. The plane had dropped sharply during the attack but was brought under control. It landed safely at an airport in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was taken to hospital in Abu Dhabi, where doctors said his condition was stable. Oman had previously banned the co-pilot from flying because of concerns about extremism. On Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machchhar by video call from his hospital room.