‘I could not let all those people die’: Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit attack
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar recounted his experience stopping a cockpit attack by his co-pilot during a flight to Israel. The pilot managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and land the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters
This incident highlights aviation safety protocols and the critical role of pilot training in preventing catastrophic terrorist acts.
DUBAI, Oct 3 — An Indian pilot attacked by his co-pilot aboard a flight from the UAE to Israel said yesterday that he “could not let all those people die”, in his first public remarks after he helped stop the plane from crashing.
His actions on Wednesday helped avert disaster when he managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing passengers and crew to take control of the plane and make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
United Arab Emirates presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said yesterday that the incident aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was a “terrorist act” after the co-pilot was returned to the country.
The mostly Israeli passengers on the flight have been flown back to Israel on a replacement plane.
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