Trump praises flydubai pilot after reported cockpit knife attack

US President Donald Trump has praised flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar as a hero after an alleged knife attack by the co-pilot during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the Indian pilot was seriously injured but resisted the attack and helped prevent an attempt to crash the aircraft. Trump attributed the account to information provided by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other early sources.

Trump said the pilot opened the cockpit door, managed to move back and called for help after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed him. He described the co-pilot as possibly a terrorist or someone suffering a mental disturbance, while making clear that he did not know whether the account was accurate. According to Trump’s description, the aircraft later landed in Saudi Arabia after an Israeli passenger intervened in the cockpit.

Trump said the passenger had no flying experience but helped pull the co-pilot from the seat and throw him backwards. Other passengers then helped restrain the man until additional pilots and security personnel reached the cockpit and took control. Trump said the passenger had told him, according to the account he received, that he had learned basic ideas about flying by watching the television programme Air Disasters.

He called the intervention an extraordinary story and credited the passenger and others with helping stop the alleged threat. The president repeatedly qualified his remarks, saying he was only recounting what he had been told and had not independently confirmed the details. Netanyahu and others had also referred to Machchhar as a hero.

The supplied account does not include an independent statement from the airline, aviation authorities or the individuals involved.