Indian Pilot Tells Modi How He Opened Cockpit Door During Flydubai Attack

Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar has recounted how he managed to open the cockpit door after being stabbed by his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Machchhar spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a nearly 10-minute video call from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi on Friday. He appeared with bandages on his head and hands and a tube in his nose.

According to Reuters, Machchhar said he realised the aircraft was losing control after he was attacked and fell to the floor. Despite his injuries, he managed to reach and open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and intervene.

“I knew that the aircraft was going down. I had fallen to the ground. I told myself that the door is right there, just open it. I managed to do it and people entered,” he said.

Machchhar, who has been flying for 17 years and has served as a captain for 11 years, was stabbed by his co-pilot in what authorities are investigating as an alleged attempt to crash the aircraft.

The flydubai plane was carrying 174 people when it plunged nearly 14,000 feet (4,267 metres) in less than 30 seconds during the incident.

After passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot, a second pair of pilots took control of the aircraft and eventually landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Machchhar told Modi that he believed God had saved him and said he recited a Hindu prayer to Hanuman during the ordeal.

Modi praised the pilot for his bravery and presence of mind, saying his actions helped save lives.

Machchhar is from Gujarat, Modi’s home state, and remains in hospital in Abu Dhabi while investigations into the incident continue.

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