Capt Machchhar recounts cockpit attack and fight to save flydubai flight

Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot who thwarted an attempt to seize control of a flydubai flight bound for Israel, has shared the terrifying moments inside the cockpit during the attack.

Machchhar, seriously injured during the incident, recounted his ordeal while speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who invited him and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a celebratory flame at Israel's next Independence Day event.

The flight began normally, Machchhar said, as he focused on flying while his co-pilot prayed, a common practice among local crew and passengers.

He initially did not suspect anything was wrong, respecting the co-pilot's prayers and looking forward in the cockpit.

Suddenly, Machchhar felt a hard blow to the back of his head, which he first thought was due to catastrophic damage to the aircraft.

However, as the blows continued, he realised it was an attack by his co-pilot. Despite being disoriented and his vision blurred from the blows, Machchhar fought to stop the attacker. He recalled the aircraft sharply descending and that his memories from the time remain fragmented.

During the struggle, he managed to open the cockpit door once, though it was likely shut again by the co-pilot. Lieing on the cockpit floor, he heard the aircraft noise and passengers screaming.

Despite serious injuries, Machchhar found one last reserve of strength to push open the cockpit door again, determined to prevent the aircraft from crashing.

He said, "I had that one last fight left in me... I did it because if I didn't, I was going to die. I gave everything I had and opened the door."

He was relieved that people were waiting to take control of the aircraft after he opened the door.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the pilot, calling his courage and composure under impossible conditions remarkable and bordering on miraculous.

Netanyahu said, "You saved so many souls. You saved the spirit of the world to realise that brave people can overcome evil."

He further hailed Machchhar as a hero of Israel, India, and the world.

Netanyahu also sent warm regards to the pilot's family and expressed hope to see him again in Israel under happier circumstances.

The conversation occurred one day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Machchhar by phone, commending his "immense courage and unwavering resolve" during the incident.