Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 07:17am on 09 Oct 2026,Friday International
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced that Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar will receive Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for his courage during a dangerous incident aboard a Flydubai flight on September 30, 2026. The captain was seriously injured when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers to intervene and restrain the attacker. Other pilots subsequently took control, and the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Herzog said the award would be presented after Machchhar recovers. Six Israeli passengers were also honoured for their actions. (PC: AP)
