Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has commended an Israeli plumber for his heroic actions on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The plumber helped subdue a co-pilot who attacked the pilot during the flight, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu described the incident as a "dramatic mid-flight struggle" and praised the plumber's "coolness of judgment and heroism."
The flight, operated by flydubai, was carrying 174 passengers when the incident occurred. According to Flightradar24, the plane plummeted 17,000 feet in just one minute. The pilot, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, was attacked by his co-pilot, leading to the emergency landing. Netanyahu met with passengers at Tel Aviv's airport, embracing a man in a bloodied shirt.
Netanyahu told Fox News broadcaster Sean Hannity that the plumber "managed to enter the cockpit, he saw the attacker" and "grabbed him from behind, pulled him back, got into the pilot's seat, pulled the stick back" while others on the plane subdued the attacker. The Israeli leader added that the motive behind the incident was unclear and that officials were investigating if it was related to Iran or some other actor.
The plumber's actions were credited with preventing a potential global disaster. Netanyahu said, "An amazing act of heroism -- of his, of the Indian pilot, of the people who helped them. They stopped a disaster that could have been global." The incident is currently under investigation.
Footage shared by Netanyahu's office showed the Prime Minister meeting with passengers of the flight at Tel Aviv's airport. The passengers were shaken but grateful for the plumber's intervention. The incident highlights the importance of quick thinking and bravery in emergency situations.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with officials working to determine the motive behind the co-pilot's attack. Netanyahu's office has not released further details on the incident, citing the ongoing investigation. The incident has raised concerns about airline safety and security.
The heroic actions of the plumber have been widely praised, with Netanyahu's comments highlighting the importance of recognizing bravery in the face of danger. The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the need for vigilance and quick thinking in emergency situations.
Key points
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised an Israeli plumber for his heroic actions on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- The plumber helped subdue a co-pilot who attacked the pilot during the flight, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- The incident is currently under investigation, with officials working to determine the motive behind the co-pilot's attack.
