Indian Pilot Recounts Opening Cockpit Door During Mid-Air Attack
Captain Smit Machchhar described his actions to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating he opened the cockpit door to prevent further harm during an assault by his co-pilot.
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar recounted the harrowing experience of opening the cockpit door of an Israel-bound Flydubai plane while being attacked by his co-pilot. Machchhar stated his primary motivation was to prevent the plane from a rapid descent and to save the lives of passengers onboard.
In a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar, who sustained injuries during the incident, described the moment he realized the gravity of the situation. "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, according to BBC News. "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."
The flight, en route to Tel Aviv from Dubai, was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot's attack. Prime Minister Modi commended Machchhar for his "courage, patience and quick decision-making," stating that he had saved numerous lives and made the entire nation proud. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hailed the captain as a "true hero."
Machchhar was initially taken to a hospital in Tabuk, a city in northwestern Saudi Arabia. He was later airlifted to Abu Dhabi and is reported to be in stable condition. The Indian embassy in the UAE confirmed that Machchhar was in good health and recovering well, with Ambassador Deepak Mittal expressing pride in the captain's bravery.