Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit attack as UAE investigation begins
Smit Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he opened the cockpit door while injured, allowing passengers and crew to subdue his co-pilot.
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has described how he opened the cockpit door after his co-pilot stabbed him during a flight bound for Tel Aviv. He gave the account in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
Machchhar said he had collapsed from his injuries but could feel the aircraft descending. He managed to open the door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot, according to the account reported by Al Jazeera.
A second pair of Flydubai pilots took control and landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Machchhar said 174 people were aboard and the plane briefly descended about 17,000 feet before it was brought under control.
The UAE said it would investigate. The supplied information does not establish the co-pilot’s motive or confirm allegations about his ideology or intent.
Officials have made further claims about the incident, including describing it as terrorism and alleging possible radicalisation or links to Iran. Those claims remain attributed statements, with the UAE investigation pending.
