Pilot recounts flydubai cockpit stabbing in video call with Modi

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Indian pilot Smit Machchhar recounted being stabbed by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. Speaking from his hospital bed, he described his efforts to open the cockpit door and seek help as the aircraft descended.

Pilot describes attack

Machchhar appeared with a tube in his nose and bandages on his head and hands in a nearly 10-minute clip released on Modi’s social media channels. He wiped away tears as he described the ordeal.

“I knew that the aircraft was going down … I had fallen to the ground. I told myself that the door is right there, just open it. I managed to do it and people entered,” he said.

Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot on Wednesday in an alleged attempt to crash the aircraft. The jet, carrying 174 people, plunged nearly 14,000 feet (4,267 metres) in less than 30 seconds.

“I have been flying for the last 17 years, have been a captain for the last 11 years. I knew that the aircraft was going down,” he said.

Passengers and crew intervened

A spokesperson for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Reuters on Thursday that Machchhar was covered in blood and lying on the floor when he managed to open the cockpit door.

This allowed passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot and a second pair of flydubai pilots on board to take control of the jet. They landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Modi praises pilot’s actions

Modi praised Machchhar’s bravery, saying his presence of mind had saved lives and protected the reputation of Indian pilots.

“I know God saved me,” said an emotional Machchhar, who is from Modi’s home state of Gujarat. He told the prime minister that he recited a Hindu prayer to the monkey god Hanuman during the ordeal.