Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has revealed how he fought through severe injuries to open the cockpit door of a Flydubai jet after being attacked by his co-pilot, allowing passengers and crew to intervene as the aircraft plunged thousands of feet.
The captain’s actions helped pave the way for the safe emergency landing of the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight in Saudi Arabia.
Highlights
- Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot during a Flydubai flight.
- The aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet during the emergency.
- Despite his injuries, Machchhar opened the cockpit door.
- Passengers and crew helped overpower the attacker and regain control.
- The injured pilot is recovering after being transferred to Abu Dhabi.
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Injured Captain Opens Cockpit Door
Captain Smit Machchhar has described the terrifying moments after he was attacked during a Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Speaking to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video call, Machchhar said he was already badly injured and on the floor of the cockpit when he realised the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude.
Knowing that the situation could become fatal for everyone onboard, he made a final effort to reach the cockpit door mechanism and open it.
His decision allowed passengers and other crew members to enter the cockpit and confront the attacker.
Plane Plunges Thousands of Feet
The dramatic incident happened about two hours after the aircraft took off from Dubai on Wednesday.
The Boeing 737 reportedly went into a steep descent, losing more than 17,000 feet of altitude in a matter of moments.
Machchhar had been attacked by his fellow pilot, leaving him seriously injured as the aircraft entered the dangerous descent.
According to accounts of the incident, passengers then rushed towards the cockpit after the door was opened. They helped restrain the attacker while other crew members worked to stabilise the aircraft.
The flight was eventually diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Captain Says He Was Thinking About Everyone Onboard
Despite fighting for his own survival, Machchhar said he remained conscious of the responsibility he carried for the passengers.
He explained to Modi that once he realised the aircraft was descending, he knew he had to make one final effort to get the cockpit door open.
Passengers who entered the cockpit subsequently played an important role in helping bring the situation under control.
The dramatic sequence has since been credited with preventing what could have been a major aviation disaster.
Modi Praises Pilot’s Courage
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar for his quick thinking and determination during the crisis.
Modi told the captain that his courage and ability to make critical decisions while seriously injured had helped protect the lives of those onboard.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also described Machchhar as a hero for fighting back and enabling passengers and crew to reach the cockpit.
The incident involved 174 people onboard, according to reports from Reuters and other international media.
Captain Recovering in Abu Dhabi
Machchhar was initially taken to a hospital in Tabuk following the emergency landing.
He was later transferred to Abu Dhabi for further treatment.
The Indian Embassy in the UAE said the pilot was in good health and recovering well. India’s ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, also visited Machchhar and expressed pride in his actions.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Machchhar has maintained an optimistic outlook about his recovery.
He said he views his injuries as part of a recovery journey rather than allowing them to define what happened to him.
Investigation Continues
Authorities are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the cockpit attack and the motive behind it.
Israeli officials have said the co-pilot was an Omani national, while the UAE is investigating the security incident and its possible motive.
Flydubai also suspended flights to and from Israel following the incident as investigations continued.
For Machchhar, however, the focus is now on healing after an ordeal that placed his own life and the lives of everyone onboard in extreme danger.
When a plane began falling from the sky, one injured captain made a decision that gave everyone else a chance to survive.
