Crime & Law · World
Indian pilot averts mid-air incident on Flydubai flight
An Indian pilot, Smit Machchhar, is being hailed as a hero after averting a mid-air incident on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar, leading to a rapid descent of the aircraft to land safely in Tabuk. Flight-tracking data indicated the aircraft transmitted a general emergency code. The incident involved 174 passengers and crew. The United Arab Emirates has launched a criminal investigation into the incident, examining potential links to terrorist activity or intent. The co-pilot's actions have been described as a possible terrorist act, with one report suggesting it was an attempt at a deliberate crash. Machchhar sustained injuries during the incident but is recovering well, according to the Indian envoy to the UAE. Passengers were reportedly able to subdue the attacker after Machchhar opened the cockpit door.
How outlets across the spectrum covered it
- Left (5): Al Jazeera English, CNN, Satya Hindi, The Independent, The Washington Post
- Centre (35 votes, 39 outlets): ABC Australia, Amar Ujala, Associated Press, Business Today · The Lallantop (India Today Group — 1 vote), CBC News, CBS News, Channel News Asia, Deccan Chronicle, Deutsche Welle, Euronews, Financial Times, Forbes, France 24, Greater Kashmir, Hindustan (Hindi) · Hindustan Times · Mint (HT Media — 1 vote), Irish Independent, Jansatta · The Indian Express (Indian Express Group — 1 vote), Mathrubhumi English, Metro (UK), NBC News, NDTV, NPR, Nai Dunia, Navbharat Times, Reuters, Sky News, South China Morning Post, TIME, The Economist, The Free Press Journal, The Japan Times, The New Indian Express, The Quint, The Statesman, The Wall Street Journal
- Right (8 votes, 9 outlets): Aaj Tak · India Today (India Today Group — 1 vote), Dainik Jagran, Firstpost, OpIndia, Republic World, TFIPOST, The Jerusalem Post, Times Now