Indian Pilot Tells Modi He Opened Cockpit Door While Being Attacked on Flydubai Flight
By Vikas Pandey
A pilot, Smit Machchhar, has recounted to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi how he opened the cockpit door of a plane while under attack from his co-pilot during a flight to Tel Aviv.
In a video call, Capt Machchhar explained that despite being injured on the ground, he knew he had to act as the plane was sinking rapidly. "I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside," he said.
Machchhar, who was initially taken to a hospital in Saudi Arabia and later airlifted to Abu Dhabi, is recovering and has been hailed as a hero by both Indian and Israeli leaders. The Indian embassy confirmed his "good health" and praised his bravery.
This incident occurred when Machchhar was attacked by another pilot on board a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, forcing the plane to divert to Saudi Arabia.