Flydubai pilot saves lives of 174 passengers after being stabbed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised the “extraordinary courage” of Flydubai Indian pilot Captain Smit Mosquito. Flydubai FZ-1073 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has been accused of stabbing the other and trying to cause the plane to crash following an altercation between two pilots inside the cockpit.
Captain Mosquito, who was injured during the attack, is said to have played a key role in saving the lives of 174 people on board. Netanyahu praised the mosquito’s courage on social media X, saying that despite the danger to his life, he was able to open the cockpit door and then the passengers and crew were able to control the alleged attacker.
“He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens,” Netanyahu said. He wished the injured pilot a speedy recovery and called him a “true hero.”
The plane was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made a signal of “unlawful interference” during take-off. The flight first aired the international emergency signal 7700 and then the 7500 code that indicates hijacking or unlawful interference, according to flight tracking data.
After receiving 7500 signals, Israeli Air Force fighter jets were also sent towards the plane. However, Israeli officials later confirmed that the plane had been hijacked.
The plane finally landed safely at Tabuk Airport. Another flight from Flydubai that was sent to rescue passengers landed at Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel with about 180 passengers.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said that Captain Mosquito is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Tabuk city. According to the Embassy, the condition of the mosquito is stable and necessary treatment is being given. The Embassy of India and the Consulate General in Jeddah said that they are continuously monitoring his health condition and are in touch with the family.
Captain Mosquito is an experienced pilot working as a direct entry captain at FlyDubai. He has more than 13 years of experience in the commercial aviation sector. His total flying experience is about 9,750 hours and most of the time he flew Boeing 737 aircraft. Before joining Flydubee, he worked for an Indian airline for about 11 years. There he also worked as a line training captain.
After the incident, Netanyahu ordered to tighten security for Israeli and non-Israeli aircraft, according to a spokesman for the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. According to Netanyahu, preliminary evidence shows that one of the Flydubai pilots stabbed another pilot and tried to crash the plane. The pilot said to be involved in the incident is being questioned by Saudi authorities. ANI
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