Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, recounted the harrowing moments aboard a flydubai flight when he was attacked by his co-pilot. Realizing the dire situation, Machchhar knew he needed to regain control to ensure the safety of the passengers onboard.
Speaking from a hospital in Abu Dhabi, where he is recovering from multiple injuries, Machchhar shared details of the incident during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Despite being seriously injured, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and help restrain the co-pilot as the aircraft descended sharply.
The Boeing 737, carrying 182 people, was forced to divert to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. The co-pilot, an Omani national, was detained in Saudi Arabia following the incident, and the motive behind the attack is still under investigation.
During the ordeal, Machchhar recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu prayer, which he described as a source of courage while fighting to protect the passengers. The Mumbai-born pilot has been with flydubai for four years and previously accumulated thousands of flying hours with SpiceJet.