Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has recounted the harrowing moments aboard a flydubai flight when he was attacked by his co-pilot. The incident occurred on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, compelling Machchhar to fight for control of the aircraft to ensure the safety of 182 passengers on board.
During a video call from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi, Machchhar shared with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi how he sustained multiple injuries yet remained determined to safeguard the flight. His swift actions allowed him to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers to enter and subdue the co-pilot as the aircraft rapidly descended.
The flight, a Boeing 737, was forced to divert to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it successfully executed an emergency landing. Despite his serious injuries, Machchhar’s bravery ensured the passengers’ safety, and he was promptly taken to a hospital for medical care.
The motive for the co-pilot’s attack, who is an Omani national, remains under investigation. Authorities in Saudi Arabia detained him following the incident, as inquiries into the shocking event continue.
Machchhar, originally from Mumbai, has been with flydubai for about four years, bringing with him extensive flying experience from his previous tenure at SpiceJet. He credits the Hanuman Chalisa, a traditional Hindu prayer, as a source of strength during the ordeal, providing him with the courage to manage the crisis and protect the passengers.