Indian Pilot Recounts Attack by Co-Pilot in Video Call with PM Modi

Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar, who was reportedly attacked by his co-pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, recounted the harrowing experience in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Machchhar, appearing with bandages on his head and hands and a tube in his nose, spoke to Modi from a hospital in Abu Dhabi.

"I knew that the aircraft was going down... I had fallen to the ground. I told myself that the door is right there, just open it. I managed to do it and people entered," Machchhar said during the call, a nearly 10-minute clip of which was shared by the prime minister on social media. Machchhar, who is from Modi’s home state of Gujarat, described reciting a Hindu prayer to Hanuman during the ordeal.

Modi praised Machchhar's bravery, stating that his presence of mind not only saved lives but also upheld the reputation of Indian pilots. The incident occurred on Wednesday when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar in an apparent attempt to crash the plane. The aircraft, carrying 174 people, reportedly plunged nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds.

Machchhar's spokesperson stated that he was on the floor, covered in blood, when he managed to open the cockpit door. This allowed passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot. Another pair of Flydubai pilots then took control of the aircraft and landed it in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. A passenger on the flight was quoted as saying the plane was only about 40 seconds from crashing.