Capt. Smit Machchhar, the Indian airline captain who thwarted an attempted hijacking of a FlyDubai flight, described his experience after being stabbed by his co-pilot. Speaking from an Abu Dhabi hospital, Machchhar recounted the incident during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, "I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realized that if I didn’t get up … then passengers would lose their lives."
The incident occurred on Wednesday when the flight, carrying 182 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv, began a steep descent after the attack. Machchhar, despite being seriously injured, managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers to restrain the attacker. The flight was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, for an emergency landing.
FlyDubai confirmed that the aircraft was secured by the crew, who included pilots in training. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the attacker, an Omani national, was arrested in Saudi Arabia and is undergoing interrogation. The motive for the attack remains unclear.
Machchhar, who has been a pilot for 17 years and a captain for 11 years, indicated that his experience allowed him to sense the aircraft's descent even after being incapacitated. He recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu hymn, during the ordeal for strength.
He has worked for FlyDubai for approximately four years and previously spent 11 years with SpiceJet. Philip Kean, CEO of Mainland Air, noted that while pilots are trained for incapacitation scenarios, they are not typically prepared for violent attacks from colleagues.