ABU DHABI — The pilot of a Flydubai passenger aircraft who was reportedly attacked by his co-pilot during a flight has described how he fought to regain control of the cockpit and prevent the passengers from being put at further risk.
Capt. Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, said he was injured and lying on the cockpit floor when he realised the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude.
Speaking during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar said he made a final effort to open the cockpit door and allow other people into the flight deck.
“I was lying on the floor injured but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside.”
He said other people subsequently entered the cockpit and helped control the situation.
“I was of course fighting for my own life but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die.”
Aircraft Lost More Than 17,000 Feet
Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning, reportedly plunged more than 17,000 feet (5,200 metres) approximately two and a half hours after take-off.
The aircraft initially transmitted an emergency signal to air traffic controllers before switching to squawk 7500, the internationally recognised transponder code indicating a suspected hijacking.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later told reporters that one pilot had stabbed the other and had apparently attempted to crash the aircraft.
According to the account provided, passengers eventually overpowered the attacker, while two reserve pilots who were travelling on the aircraft took control and landed the plane safely at Tabuk Airport in north-western Saudi Arabia at 6:58 a.m. local time.
Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk before being airlifted to Abu Dhabi. Reports said he was in stable condition.
Netanyahu subsequently described Machchhar as a “true hero” for his actions during the incident.
Investigation Underway
Netanyahu told Fox News that the alleged attacker was an Omani national and said investigators had found indications of what he described as “Islamist radical indoctrination.”
He also said that after the alleged attacker had been subdued and restrained by passengers and crew members, he repeatedly called out to the aircrew, “kill me, kill me.”
Netanyahu interpreted the statement as evidence that the attacker was suicidal.
However, the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
The United Arab Emirates has launched an investigation into the incident, including whether it was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose, according to the country’s state news agency.
Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances that led to the cockpit confrontation, the aircraft’s rapid loss of altitude and the actions of those involved.
