I wasn’t going to let others die, says Indian pilot who opened cockpit door during attack
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar says he pushed himself to reopen the cockpit door while injured during an attack by his co-pilot, determined to prevent other people on board from dying. Passengers and crew then helped overpower the attacker, allowing the aircraft to land safely.
The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv plunged more than 17,000 feet about two and a half hours into its journey before diverting to Tabuk, north-western Saudi Arabia. Machchhar, who has 17 years’ flying experience, was taken to hospital and then flown to Abu Dhabi; India’s embassy said he was recovering well, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his actions.
- Captain Smit Machchhar helped regain control after a cockpit attack.
- The aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet before landing safely.
- India’s embassy said the injured pilot was recovering well.
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A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a serious incident when the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the cockpit. The aircraft descended sharply before being diverted to land in Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia. Flydubai is a major airline operator based in the United Arab Emirates.
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, was commanding the flight when the attack occurred. He sustained injuries during the incident, but passengers and crew worked to subdue the attacker once they became aware of the situation. The captain was subsequently hospitalised but is reported to be recovering well.
Incidents involving crew attacks in the cockpit are extremely rare in commercial aviation. Such events attract particular attention because the cockpit controls the aircraft and determines safety for everyone on board. The incident has prompted discussion about cockpit security procedures in the aviation industry.