NEW DELHI — An Indian airline captain recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital has described the harrowing moments he fought for his life after being stabbed by his co-pilot aboard a FlyDubai flight.
Capt. Smit Machchhar, who is originally from Mumbai, spoke via video link to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, recounting how he forced himself to rise despite sustaining multiple wounds. “I had so many wounds. I had fallen down,” Machchhar said, his head bandaged and nasal tubes in place, before breaking down. “I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realized that if I didn’t get up … then passengers would lose their lives.”
The incident occurred Wednesday during a flight carrying 182 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv. After Machchhar was attacked, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and restrain the assailant while the Boeing 737 entered a steep descent. Witnesses and Israeli authorities confirmed the sequence of events.
The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. FlyDubai stated that on-duty crew members, identified as pilot trainees, secured the jet and executed the emergency landing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the attacker, an Omani national, was arrested in Saudi Arabia and is currently being interrogated. The motive behind the assault remains unclear.
Machchhar credited his 17 years of flying experience, including 11 as a captain, for helping him assess the situation while incapacitated. “I can sense exactly what is happening with the aircraft even with my eyes closed. When I was down, I could feel that the aircraft was plummeting,” he told the prime minister.
During the crisis, Machchhar recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman. “Lord Hanuman gave me courage,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi praised Machchhar’s “courage, patience, and presence of mind,” stating that these qualities saved many lives. Machchhar, who is married with two children, has worked for FlyDubai for approximately four years. Prior to that, he served for 11 years with SpiceJet, logging over 9,750 flight hours.
Philip Kean, CEO of Mainland Air in New Zealand, where Machchhar received his training, noted that while pilots are taught to take control if a colleague becomes incapacitated, standard curriculum does not prepare them for a violent stabbing by a peer. “I don’t think there’s much in the handbook for being stabbed,” Kean said. “You’re friends and you’re flying together. Nobody would expect … a person to have a go at you like that.”
Machchhar has been widely hailed as a hero, with global leaders acknowledging his role in averting a potential disaster.
So standard training doesn’t cover being stabbed by a co-pilot? That’s terrifying. How do we prepare for this?
Incredible bravery. The fact that he could sense the plane’s descent while down is chilling, but saving 182 lives is remarkable.