An Indian pilot who was injured after being attacked by his co-pilot on a flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel played a crucial role in preventing a plane crash, according to his first public statements since the incident. Captain Smit Machchhar recounted how, despite his injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to regain control and facilitate an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
Machchhar, a Flydubai captain with 17 years of aviation experience—including 11 years as a captain—said during a call from his hospital bed with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he recognized the urgency of the moment. “I had suffered so many injuries that I had collapsed,” Machchhar said, describing how he felt the aircraft descending rapidly and saw opening the cockpit door as his final attempt to prevent disaster. “I was being hit even then, but I just opened the door and everyone came in.”
The confrontation between the captain and co-pilot remains under investigation. Authorities have returned the co-pilot to the UAE, where officials are examining whether the incident involved terrorist motives. The plane reportedly lost approximately 17,000 feet in altitude within one minute, prompting the passengers to rush the cockpit and restrain the co-pilot, according to flight tracking data and passenger accounts.
Machchhar, who trained in New Zealand early in his career, including an 18-month stint with Mainland Air in Dunedin, has received praise from his former employer. Mainland Air Chief Executive Philip Kean described him as an “above average” pilot and commended the efforts of those who helped recover the aircraft. Kean confirmed ongoing contact with Machchhar over the years and has extended wishes for his recovery.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded Machchhar and the passengers for averting a catastrophe, adding that the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination.” Netanyahu indicated that Israel would investigate how the co-pilot, a national of a country without diplomatic ties to Israel, was authorized to work on flights to the country. US President Donald Trump weighed in, warning that Iran would face severe consequences if linked to the attack.
Following the incident, Flydubai suspended flights between the UAE and Israel, leaving some Israeli nationals stranded. Israel’s flag carrier, El Al, planned replacement flights to bring them home but canceled these on Friday due to a lack of landing permissions from Emirati authorities. El Al stated it remains ready to operate special flights once approval is granted.
Machchhar, citing his Hindu faith, said he recited a devotional prayer to the deity Hanuman during the crisis and attributed his survival to divine intervention. His actions have been credited with saving many lives and preventing what could have been a tragic event.