"I Was Not Going To Let Others Die": Pilot Smit Machchhar Tells Modi

Indian pilot Capt. Smit Machchhar has spoken about the frightening incident on a Flydubai flight after he was attacked and stabbed by his co-pilot. Despite being injured, Machchhar said his main concern was to prevent the passengers from losing their lives.

Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv early on Wednesday when the shocking incident happened. The aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers. During the journey, the plane suddenly lost more than 17,000 feet in altitude.

The aircraft first sent an emergency signal to air traffic controllers. It later transmitted squawk code 7500, which is used to indicate a possible hijacking.

Machchhar later explained what happened inside the cockpit during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said he was seriously injured and lying on the floor when he realised that the aircraft was in danger.

"I was lying on the floor injured but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside," he said.

After the cockpit door was opened, other people entered and helped control the situation. Machchhar said that although he was fighting to save himself, he was also thinking about everyone else on the aircraft.

"Others came in and also played a role [in controlling the situation]. I was of course fighting for my own life but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die," he added.

Passengers and crew members eventually overpowered the attacker. Two reserve pilots who were travelling on the aircraft then took control and safely landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in north-western Saudi Arabia at 06:58 local time.

Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Tabuk and later moved to Abu Dhabi for further treatment. The Indian embassy in the UAE said that he was recovering well and was in good health.

Machchhar has been receiving praise in India and abroad for his actions during the emergency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to him and praised his courage and quick decision-making.

Machchhar said he has been flying aircraft for 17 years and has extensive experience in understanding problems during flights.

"I am not looking at this wound like a wound because that would make my recovery even more difficult," he said.

"I am looking at it as a journey which is slowly going on and will take time but I am confident that the recovery will be there and I will become fit and healthy again."