Flydubai captain recounts fight to regain cockpit control after co-pilot attack
Smit Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi he was injured but made a final effort to open the cockpit door as the aircraft descended.
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar says he was injured in an attack by his co-pilot during a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, then tried to open the cockpit door as the aircraft descended. Speaking to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said he was determined to prevent further deaths.
Machchhar said he was on the cockpit floor when he realised the plane was sinking and made “one last push” to open the door from inside. He said others also helped control the situation.
The aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet about two and a half hours into the flight, according to the BBC World report. Passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and regained control.
The flight diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely. Machchhar was taken to hospital and later airlifted to Abu Dhabi.
The Indian embassy in the UAE said Machchhar was in good health and recovering well. He described his recovery as gradual, saying he was confident he would become fit and healthy again.
