The captain of FlyDubai, who was assaulted by his co-pilot during a flight to Israel, has expressed that his faith provided him the strength he needed to take decisive action, which he perceived as a final opportunity to protect himself and the 173 other passengers aboard the aircraft.
In an emotional video conversation from his hospital room in Saudi Arabia, Captain Smit Machchhar recounted to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday that, despite suffering several stab wounds, he was able to open the cockpit door, allowing other passengers to intervene and restrain the aggressive co-pilot. His quick thinking likely prevented a tragedy aboard the Boeing 737, safeguarding all 174 individuals on the flight.
“I was in a fight for my life,” stated Machchhar, an Indian citizen. “While I lay on the floor, I sensed the aircraft descending. I realized this was my last chance. I reminded myself that if I didn’t rise, things would worsen. I succeeded in opening the door, and that’s when everyone rushed in.”
During his darkest moments, Machchhar shared that he recited Hindu prayers and held firmly to his beliefs, with the conviction that “God would save us.” He expressed his apologies to Modi for becoming emotional, admitting he had never truly felt proud of himself until that day.
The first inquiry Modi made was regarding Machchhar’s well-being, to which the captain, sporting a head bandage and an oxygen tube, responded: “I am doing well, sir.” He remarked, “I’m not overly focused on my injuries. I view this as a journey. I am optimistic about my recovery and return.”
Modi encouraged him to heal, assuring him that the entire nation stood in support of him. “I don’t wish to take too much of your time. My best wishes are with you,” he said.
The co-pilot involved in the incident, whose identity remains undisclosed by officials, was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates for interrogation by Israeli, UAE, and Saudi authorities, as confirmed by an Israeli official on Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the assailant had stabbed the pilot and “seemingly attempted to crash the plane with all onboard.” Saudi authorities reported that the co-pilot was hospitalized following the event and treated for unspecified injuries.
An official from Oman verified to CBS News that the attacker held Omani citizenship and was born in Oman, although the Omani government has not publicly acknowledged his nationality.
Netanyahu indicated that Israel was aware of the co-pilot’s “Islamist radical indoctrination” based on preliminary information obtained during questioning. He did not provide additional details but informed Fox News that the suspect exhibited “suicidal” behavior, reportedly shouting, “Kill me, kill me!” after being subdued by crew members and passengers.
President Trump suggested on Thursday that the co-pilot may have connections to Iran, going further than Netanyahu, who had stated it was premature to determine Iran’s involvement. “We are currently investigating,” Trump said at the White House when asked by a reporter about potential ties to Iran. “They are being quite open with us. Based on what I’m hearing, I would say yes, but we are still working on it.”
When questioned about the possibility of the co-pilot collaborating with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or being radicalized in another manner, Trump responded affirmatively, “He could have been, yes.”
This report was contributed to by Dov Lieber and Arshad R. Zargar.
