The attempted attack on a Flydubai airline flight heading to Israel resulted in the attacker stabbing the plane’s pilot. However, his heroism saved the lives of the 174 passengers traveling on the aircraft.
His actions and that of the four individuals who collaborated in the arrest of the terrorist allowed the plane to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia without damage or injuries.
Two days after the event, the pilot of the plane has recounted the distressing moments he experienced and how he was able, despite the attack, to allow the passengers access to the cabin to redirect the situation.
The story of Smit Machchhar, one of the heroes of Flydubai
“I felt like the plane was going into a nosedive.” That has been the story of Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot in command of the Flydubai aircraft. During an emotional call with his country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, the pilot recounted how he experienced the moment of the attack and how he was able to open the flight deck after being seriously injured.
“I have been flying for 17 years, sir, and I have been a captain for 11 years. I can know, even with my eyes closed, what is happening on the plane. When I was on the ground, I felt that the plane was going into a dive,” Machchhar commented in the telephone conversation released this Friday.
Given the serious situation that the flight was going through, Machchhar explained how he was able to stop the attack. “I knew perfectly well that the door was right there, I just had to make one last effort to open it. And still they kept hitting me. I simply opened it, sir, and the others came in,” he confessed to the Indian president.
Likewise, the pilot has confessed that he fought for his life and that of the rest of the passengers. “I was fighting to save myself, but at the same time I knew that I couldn’t let everyone die,” he said.
World leaders surrender to the pilot
Between bandages and tubes, the pilot in command had a conversation with the prime minister where he was visibly moved. The pilot remains admitted to a hospital in Abu Dhabi but has not missed the opportunity to relate his experience to one of India’s top representatives. The prime minister has broadcast through ‘X’ the 10-minute conversation with the pilot where he narrates his version of what happened.
In addition to the recognition of the Indian Prime Minister, who has praised Machchhar’s bravery and has “saved the reputation of the Indian pilots”, other world leaders such as Donald Trump or Benjamin Netanyahu have also surrendered to his heroic performance.
Pilot’s health continues to improve
As confirmed by the Indian Government, Machchhar has been transferred from the hospital in Tabuk (Saudi Arabia) to a medical center in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) to continue his recovery, while the authorities investigate the serious international security incident.
