Captain Smit Machchhar, recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital, detailed the harrowing onboard ordeal to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a video call released on Friday by the prime minister’s office, as reported by ABC News. Machchhar explained that he had suffered extensive injuries and collapsed during the struggle, noting that he could feel the aircraft losing altitude rapidly when he realized he had to act.
“I had suffered so many injuries that I had collapsed. At that time, I could feel that the aircraft was going down. I knew this was the last push,” Machchhar told Modi, according to The Guardian. “I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realised that if I didn’t get up … then passengers would lose their lives.”
The Emergency Descent and Cockpit Struggle
Flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv early Wednesday morning with more than 170 passengers and crew on board, plunged more than 17,000 feet in the span of a single minute roughly two and a half hours into its journey, according to BBC News. The flight sent an emergency signal before switching to squawk code 7500, indicating an unlawful interference or hijacking situation.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Machchhar and attempted to crash the aircraft, as reported by BBC News. Despite severe wounds and being pinned on the floor, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door. This allowed passengers and crew to enter the flight deck, overpower the attacker, and restrain him while a relief crew took control.
The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, north-west Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing safely at Tabuk Airport, according to ABC News. Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot upon landing and have since interrogated him regarding the incident.
Official Investigations and Regional Reactions
High-ranking officials from multiple nations have responded to the incident, with both Israeli and United Arab Emirates representatives officially labeling the event a terrorist act, according to DW. Netanyahu stated that initial background checks suggest the attacker had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination and noted that the suspect was calling out to the aircrew to kill him after being restrained.
“Whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” Netanyahu told DW, adding that Israel would cooperate fully with the United Arab Emirates on the ongoing investigation. A senior Emirati official confirmed that state authorities are investigating whether the attack had links to any terrorist organization.
Flydubai Chief Executive Officer Ghaith Al Ghaith issued a statement confirming that all 172 passengers and crew members are safe and that a comprehensive official investigation is underway, according to ABC News. In response to the security incident, Flydubai announced the temporary suspension of its operations to Tel Aviv until further notice, affecting numerous travelers and prompting regional repatriation flights, as noted by DW.
Recovery and Public Praise
Captain Machchhar, a veteran pilot with 17 years of aviation experience, was initially treated in Tabuk before being airlifted to Abu Dhabi for specialized medical care, where the Indian embassy confirmed he is in stable condition and recovering well, according to BBC News. During his conversation with Modi, Machchhar credited his professional background with helping him grasp the severity of the crisis despite his injuries.
Modi praised the captain’s extraordinary bravery during the video call, stating that his actions prevented a major catastrophe and made the entire nation proud, according to The Guardian. Machchhar also shared that reciting the Hanuman Chalisa provided him with crucial mental strength during the ordeal, telling Modi, “Lord Hanuman gave me courage.”