An Indian pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, recounted a terrifying incident where he had to fight for 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 in an Abu Dhabi hospital, detailed the ordeal during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Despite suffering multiple injuries, Machchhar emphasized his determination to protect the passengers onboard. After the attack, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene and restrain the co-pilot while the plane was in a steep descent. The Boeing 737, carrying 182 people, was subsequently diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
The motive behind the co-pilot’s attack remains unclear and is under investigation. Following the incident, the co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, was detained in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar, meanwhile, described finding courage in reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu prayer, as he struggled to regain control of the situation and ensure the safety of those on board.
Captain Machchhar, born in Mumbai, has been with flydubai for approximately four years. Prior to this, he worked for over a decade with SpiceJet, accumulating extensive flying experience. The pilot’s actions during the incident have been credited with preventing a potential disaster.