Flydubai captain describes fight to regain control after cockpit attack
Constantvpn.com – An Indian captain flying a Flydubai service from Dubai to Tel Aviv has described the moment he decided to open the cockpit door while injured and under attack, helping other people enter and assist in bringing the aircraft under control.
Captain Smit Machchhar said the decision came as the plane began to descend sharply during the flight on Wednesday. The aircraft had already been in the air for around two and a half hours when the alleged assault by his co-pilot unfolded.
“I was lying on the floor injured but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside,”
Machchhar spoke in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recounting how he remained focused on the safety of everyone on board even as he fought for his own survival. He said passengers and crew who entered the cockpit also helped contain the emergency.
“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,”
Aircraft diverted safely to Saudi Arabia
The Tel Aviv-bound plane dropped by more than 17,000ft, or 5,200m, before the attacker was overpowered and control was restored. The flight did not continue to Israel. Instead, it diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
The episode placed extraordinary pressure on the people in the cockpit and cabin. In-flight emergencies demand rapid decisions, especially when an aircraft’s direction or altitude changes unexpectedly. Machchhar said his long experience as a pilot helped him understand the situation despite his injuries.
“I have been flying planes for 17 years and can tell what is happening to the plane even with my eyes closed,”
His comments underline the importance of maintaining awareness of an aircraft’s condition during a crisis. The captain’s ability to respond, together with the intervention of those who came to help, enabled the flight to be brought down safely rather than allowing the situation to worsen.
Recovery after serious injuries
Machchhar was taken to hospital after the landing and was later airlifted to Abu Dhabi. He has been described as being in a stable condition. The Indian embassy in the United Arab Emirates said on Thursday that he was in good health and recovering well.
Indian Ambassador Deepak Mittal met the captain and said he was proud of Machchhar’s bravery. The pilot has also received recognition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called him a “true hero”.
During their conversation, Modi praised the captain’s composure and speed of thought, saying that his actions had protected many lives and made the country proud. Machchhar, however, spoke of recovery as a gradual process rather than focusing solely on the injuries he sustained.
“I am not looking at this wound like a wound because that would make my recovery even more difficult,”
“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.”
A crisis met with collective action
The safe diversion to Tabuk was the result of several people acting in a dangerous and fast-moving situation. Machchhar’s account places particular emphasis on the moment the cockpit door was opened, allowing others to help restrain the attacker and support efforts to stabilise the aircraft.
For passengers, a severe descent can be frightening even when the cause is not immediately clear. The incident shows how a cockpit emergency can require cooperation beyond the usual flight crew, while still depending on the judgment of trained pilots who understand the aircraft’s behaviour and the consequences of every decision.
Machchhar’s experience has drawn attention because it combines personal courage with a professional duty to protect those in his care. Injured on the cockpit floor, he said he made one final effort because he could not accept the possibility that others might die. The plane’s eventual safe landing in Saudi Arabia ensured that passengers and crew survived an event that had threatened to become catastrophic.
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