What we know about the pilot hailed as a hero for averting crash of Israel-bound plane

He is being hailed around the world as a hero for helping stop a passenger plane bound for Israel from plunging into the ground, despite his own severe injuries.

Images of Capt. Smit Machchhar covered in blood have gone viral after he fought his fellow pilot, who, according to Israeli officials, stabbed him and attempted to nose-dive the plane carrying 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

While bleeding profusely, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing other passengers and the Emirati crew to overpower the other pilot and take control of the aircraft. The flight was diverted to an airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

The Mumbai native’s actions have “shown the world the highest form of courage” and “prevented another 9/11 like attack from happening,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday, after speaking with Machchhar’s family. “The whole world is proud of him,” he added.

Machchhar spoke previously of getting the “aviation bug” at 19 while pursuing a management course to grow his family’s textile business.

He worked for years at a low-cost Indian airline before joining Flydubai, and had nearly 10,000 hours of flying experience before Wednesday’s incident.

Machchhar is being treated in…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world