Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar to Receive Israel's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism

Key facts

• Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced that Indian flydubai captain Smit Machchhar will receive Israel's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for his bravery and professionalism in averting a catastrophe.
• Machchhar was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv in an attempt to crash the plane, causing the jet with 174 people on board to plunge nearly 14,000 ft in less than 30 seconds.
• Despite being injured, Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot so a second pair of flydubai pilots could land the jet in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.