Injured Pilot Recounts Mid-Air Cockpit Struggle to PM Modi

Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar spoke from his hospital bed on Friday to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the mid-air attack he faced from his co-pilot aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Machchhar said he knew the aircraft was going down and pushed through his wounds to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to step in and seize control of the plane. The aircraft lost roughly 17,000 feet of altitude in one minute during the sudden plunge, while carrying 174 people on board. Two off-duty pilots travelling as passengers then stepped into the cockpit to land the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia.

Struggle And Rescue

Machchhar recounted that he suffered severe injuries and collapsed on the floor while continuing to take blows from the alleged attacker. He said his 17 years of aviation experience, including 11 years as a captain, helped him grasp the grave danger as the plane lost height rapidly. During the ordeal, he recited the Hanuman Chalisa for inner strength, later breaking down during his video call with PM Modi. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the co-pilot shouted "Kill me, kill me" and appeared suicidal, identifying the attacker as an Omani national. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash labelled the event a terrorist act and praised Machchhar's bravery.

Context

Commercial airline cockpits are heavily secured zones with strict access controls to prevent unauthorised entry or security breaches during flight. When unexpected incapacitation or physical struggle occurs involving flight deck crew members, trained backup pilots or cabin personnel must step in immediately to maintain flight path safety. International aviation authorities and local governments handle such security breaches through joint cross-border investigations involving the airlines, flag carriers, and security agencies of the countries involved.