The injured captain told Prime Minister Narendra Modi how he fought through his injuries to open the cockpit door as the aircraft descended, allowing passengers and crew to intervene.
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has described how he fought through severe injuries to regain control of his aircraft during a cockpit altercation, telling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he knew he had to act when he sensed the plane descending.
Speaking to Modi during a 10-minute video call on Friday, Machchhar said he was fighting for his life after being seriously wounded and knocked to the cockpit floor. Despite his condition, his 17 years of aviation experience helped him understand what was happening to the aircraft.
“In that moment, I was fighting for my life,” Machchhar told Modi. “Because I had fallen down… I was so severely wounded that I had fallen… at that time, I was thinking, ‘What if I don’t get up?’”
He said his experience as a pilot allowed him to sense the aircraft’s condition even while he was unable to see the instruments.
“I have been a pilot for 17 years and a captain for the past 11 years. I can intuitively understand the aircraft’s condition even without seeing it. While I was down, I could sense the aircraft was descending,” he said.
“I was doing this for my life, but at the same time, I knew that I couldn’t let everybody else die.”
‘One last push, Smit’
Machchhar said he realised that he had to reach the cockpit door despite being injured.
“And I knew in that moment, one last push, Smit! Just do it. The door is right there,” he recalled.
He said the attacker continued beating him as he tried to reach the door, but he eventually managed to open it.
“And then I just opened it… and then everybody came,” Machchhar said, referring to passengers and crew members who entered the cockpit and helped restrain the attacker.
He also stressed that the people who intervened played a crucial role in bringing the situation under control.
“Everyone else played an equal role,” he said.
What happened on flydubai FZ1073?
The incident occurred on flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members.
During the flight, an altercation reportedly broke out in the cockpit. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft transmitting the emergency code 7700, followed seven minutes later by 7500, the internationally recognised transponder code for unlawful interference.
The aircraft then lost more than 14,000 feet in about 29 seconds, according to flight-tracking data.
Machchhar was injured during the confrontation. The cockpit door was subsequently opened, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and help restrain the attacker.
Two off-duty Dubai pilots travelling on the aircraft also helped secure the aircraft before it was diverted to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai described the incident as an “altercation” in the flight deck and said the aircraft was secured by crew members travelling on the flight. The pilots diverted the aircraft and landed safely at Tabuk, with all passengers and crew accounted for.
The airline said the reasons and motives behind the incident remained unknown and were subject to a formal investigation.
‘I know that God saved me’
Machchhar also spoke about how he dealt with the pain and fear during the incident.
He told Modi that he recites the Hanuman Chalisa when he is afraid or in pain and was doing so during the confrontation.
“Whenever I feel pain, I chant the Hanuman Chalisa. I was chanting it at that time too. And I know that God saved me,” he said.
Machchhar added that he recites the prayer to his two-year-old son every morning.
Modi praises Machchhar’s courage.
During the call, Modi praised Machchhar for continuing to respond despite his injuries and credited his presence of mind with helping protect those aboard the aircraft.
“Your courage, patience, and presence of mind” saved many lives, Modi told him.
The prime minister also acknowledged the severity of Machchhar’s injuries and the fact that he continued to act despite the danger to his own life.
“You sustained such a severe injury and were fighting for life and death. Yet, even then, you did not care for your life; you cared for the lives of all the passengers,” Modi said.
Modi described Machchhar’s actions as a “monumental task” and said people in India and around the world were eager to see him recover.
Leaders praise the pilot and crew.
Machchhar’s actions have drawn praise from political leaders and officials in India, Israel and the United States.
US President Donald Trump described the Indian captain as a hero and praised his decision to open the cockpit door despite his injuries.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machchhar’s actions, calling them an example of extraordinary bravery and saying they helped prevent a potentially catastrophic incident.
India’s President Droupadi Murmu praised Machchhar’s “incredible presence of mind” and “indomitable spirit.”
Indian officials and diplomats also recognised the contribution of the passengers and crew members who intervened during the incident.
The Indian Embassy in Israel praised Machchhar’s courage and composure, while Israel’s ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, also acknowledged the actions of the pilot, passengers and crew.
Machchhar is recovering in the UAE.
Machchhar was initially treated in Tabuk following the emergency landing before being transferred to the UAE for further medical care.
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal visited Machchhar and his family at the hospital and said the captain was recovering well.
“He was speaking openly, smiling and laughing, which was a great relief for us and, above all, for his family,” Mittal said.
The Indian Embassy and Consulate have remained in contact with UAE authorities regarding Machchhar’s treatment and recovery.
Investigations continue
Investigations into the cockpit incident are continuing across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
The UAE has launched a judicial investigation, while the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority is examining the operational and security aspects of the incident.
Saudi Arabia has issued a preliminary finding that the first officer assaulted the captain, injuring both pilots. The finding does not establish a motive for the confrontation.
Flydubai has continued to urge against premature speculation as authorities work to establish the circumstances surrounding the cockpit altercation.
For Machchhar, the immediate priority during those critical moments was simpler. He had to get back to the cockpit door, despite his injuries, because he knew the aircraft was descending and other lives depended on what happened next.
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