Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar recounted the harrowing experience of having to regain control of a flydubai aircraft after being attacked by his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Machchhar, who is currently recovering from his injuries in a hospital in Abu Dhabi, emphasized the urgency he felt to protect the 182 passengers on board.
In a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar detailed how he managed to open the cockpit door post-attack, enabling passengers to intervene and restrain the co-pilot. During this critical moment, the aircraft was in a steep descent, and Machchhar was able to facilitate an emergency landing in Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The motive behind the attack by the co-pilot, an Omani national who was detained in Saudi Arabia following the incident, is still under investigation. Machchhar shared that during the ordeal, he found strength by reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, a prayer that provided him with courage as he fought to ensure the safety of everyone on board.
Captain Machchhar has been with flydubai for approximately four years and brings over a decade of experience from his previous tenure with SpiceJet. His extensive flying experience proved vital in managing the emergency situation and ensuring the aircraft’s safe landing.