Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has shared his harrowing experience of being attacked by his co-pilot during a flydubai flight, and how he fought to regain control to ensure the safety of everyone on board. The incident occurred on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, leading to the aircraft being diverted for an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar, currently recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi, described the ordeal during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite suffering multiple injuries, the pilot managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers to enter and restrain the co-pilot as the Boeing 737 carrying 182 people made a steep descent.
The motive behind the attack, involving the co-pilot who is an Omani national, is still under investigation. The co-pilot was detained in Saudi Arabia following the incident. Machchhar stated that during the critical moments, he recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a prayer that provided him with courage as he fought to protect the passengers.
Machchhar has been with flydubai for approximately four years, after spending over a decade with SpiceJet, accumulating thousands of hours of flying experience. His swift actions during the emergency are credited with bringing the situation under control, ensuring the safety of those on board.