Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit attack as plane plunged 17,000 feet

An Indian captain who was stabbed by his co-pilot aboard a “Flydubai” flight has spoken publicly for the first time, saying he was determined to prevent passengers and crew from dying as the aircraft rapidly lost altitude.

Captain Smit Machchhar said he was injured on the cockpit floor and still under attack when he realised the plane was descending. He made a final effort to open the cockpit door from inside, he said during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

“When I fell, I could tell the plane was going down. I told myself to give it one last push to open the door from inside,” Machchhar said.

He said he managed to open the door, allowing others to enter and help. “I was of course trying to protect myself but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die,” he added.

Flight diverted to Saudi Arabia

Machchhar said his 17 years of flying experience, including 11 as a captain, helped him understand what was happening to the aircraft. “I can tell what is happening to the plane even with my eyes closed,” he said.

Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers early Wednesday when an altercation broke out in the cockpit. About two and a half hours into the flight, the aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet (5,200 metres) before diverting to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

“Flydubai” said an altercation had occurred in the flight deck and crew members secured the aircraft before it landed safely. The captain and first officer were taken to hospital with injuries; all passengers and other crew members were reported safe.

Modi praises captain’s actions

Modi praised Machchhar’s “courage, patience and quick decision-making”, saying his actions had saved many lives.