Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has recounted his harrowing experience of being attacked by his co-pilot mid-flight on a flydubai journey from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite sustaining multiple injuries, Machchhar managed to regain control of the aircraft, prioritizing the safety of the 182 passengers on board.
After the attack, Machchhar succeeded in opening the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene and subdue the Omani co-pilot who initiated the assault. During this critical moment, the aircraft was in a steep descent, necessitating an emergency landing in Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was subsequently hospitalized in Abu Dhabi due to the severity of his injuries.
In a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar shared that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu prayer, during the incident, which he credited as a source of courage and strength. The motive behind the co-pilot’s attack remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing as the co-pilot is detained in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar, originally from Mumbai, has been with flydubai for approximately four years and has a substantial background in aviation, having spent over a decade with SpiceJet. His extensive flying experience played a crucial role in managing the crisis and ensuring the safety of all passengers aboard the Boeing 737.