How Captain Smit Machchhar’s quick thinking helped save 174 lives

The cockpit door of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was reportedly opened by the wounded Captain Smit Machchhar from the floor, allowing passengers to enter after he was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot.Passengers are reported to have subdued the alleged attacker before a second set of pilots, who were due to take over the flight, ultimately landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.Jinit Shah, a urologist and neighbour of the pilot’s family in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar, said Smit is known for making quick decisions. “He has been training pilots and has an academy of his own, and that may be why he knows what to do in an emergency,” Shah said.“Because of muscle memory, he might have been able to handle the situation even after being stabbed and save 174 lives,” he said.The incident has also renewed attention on cockpit security and the access available to flight crew members.