DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has recounted how he opened the cockpit door of an Israel-bound Flydubai flight after being attacked by his co-pilot, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and help prevent a potential disaster.
Machchhar shared details of the ordeal during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi while recovering in hospital in Abu Dhabi.
The captain said he was lying injured on the cockpit floor when he realised the aircraft was rapidly descending and decided he had to act.
“I was lying on the floor injured but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside,” he said.
“Others came in and also played a role [in controlling the situation]. I was of course fighting for my own life but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die,” Machchhar added.
Passengers Enter Cockpit
Machchhar was attacked by the co-pilot aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 while the aircraft was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
The plane subsequently plunged by nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before passengers and crew intervened. Machchhar’s action in opening the cockpit door allowed people from the cabin to enter and help restrain the attacker.
Two off-duty pilots travelling as passengers later helped regain control of the aircraft and safely land it in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All 174 passengers survived the incident.
The motive behind the attack remains under investigation, with authorities in the region examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Modi Praises Pilot’s Courage
Speaking to Machchhar, Modi praised his actions during the emergency and said his courage and quick decision-making had helped save lives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also publicly praised the Indian captain for his actions during the incident.
Machchhar was initially taken to a hospital in Tabuk before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for further treatment.
He has since been reported to be in stable condition and recovering from his injuries.
Pilot Focuses On Recovery
Despite the severity of his injuries, Machchhar said he was trying to view the recovery process positively.
“I am not looking at this wound like a wound because that would make my recovery even more difficult,” he said.
“I am looking at it as a journey which is slowly going on and will take time but I am confident that the recovery will be there and I will become fit and healthy again.”
Machchhar’s account has added further detail to the sequence of events aboard the Flydubai aircraft, where passengers and crew intervened after the cockpit confrontation and helped ensure the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
