An Indian pilot, who played a crucial role in preventing a potentially catastrophic situation involving a flydubai flight, has shared his harrowing experience following an attack by his co-pilot. Captain Smit Machchhar, currently recuperating in a hospital in Abu Dhabi, recounted the ordeal during a live video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing his determination to ensure the safety of the passengers on board.
During the call, Machchhar, visibly bandaged and receiving medical treatment, expressed the severity of his injuries, stating, “I had so many wounds. I had fallen down.” As he reflected on the violent incident, he became emotional, revealing, “I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realized that if I didn’t get up… then passengers would lose their lives.”
The incident occurred on Wednesday when Machchhar, hailing from Mumbai, was seriously injured after being stabbed by the co-pilot. Despite his injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers to intervene and subdue the attacker while the Boeing 737 was in a perilous descent. His courageous actions have earned him commendations from global leaders, who acknowledged his pivotal role in averting a disaster.
The flight, which was transporting 182 individuals from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was redirected to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the assailant, an Omani citizen, was apprehended in Saudi Arabia and is currently being interrogated, though the motive behind the attack remains unknown.
During the intense moments of the attack, Machchhar found solace in reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, a revered Hindu hymn that invokes strength and resilience. He told Modi, “Lord Hanuman gave me courage.”
Captain Machchhar has been a part of the flydubai team for approximately four years, as indicated on his LinkedIn profile. Prior to his tenure at flydubai, he accumulated 11 years of experience with SpiceJet, an Indian low-cost airline, where he held the positions of senior commander and line training captain, amassing over 9,750 hours of flight time.
