Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who played a crucial role in preventing a flydubai flight from crashing, has spoken about his ordeal for the first time. On Wednesday, Machchhar helped avert disaster when he managed to open the cockpit door despite suffering injuries, allowing passengers and crew to take control of the plane and make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred on a flight from the UAE to Israel, with mostly Israeli passengers on board. Machchhar's actions have been hailed as heroic, with many praising his quick thinking and bravery.
The incident is currently under investigation to determine if there was any "terrorist activity or intent" involved. The co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, has been returned to the United Arab Emirates. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the suspect had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination" and had called out to the aircrew, "Kill me, kill me", during the incident. Netanyahu also noted that the co-pilot was able to work on flights to Israel despite being from a country with no diplomatic relations with Israel.
Machchhar, who has 17 years of aviation experience, including 11 as a captain, described the moment he realized the plane was going down while he was lying injured. He told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a phone call from his hospital bed that he knew he had to act quickly, saying his opening the cockpit door was a "last push" to get help. Machchhar also recounted that he had recited a Hindu devotional prayer dedicated to the deity Hanuman during the ordeal, saying "I know God himself saved me".
Passengers on board the flight have described rushing the cockpit and a fight for control after the plane suddenly plummeted, losing around 17,000 feet of altitude in just one minute. The passengers' actions, combined with Machchhar's efforts, helped prevent a catastrophic outcome. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have both praised Machchhar's actions, with Trump warning that if Iran was found to be linked to the attack, the country would face severe consequences.
The incident has led to flydubai suspending flights to and from Israel, leaving some Israelis stranded in the UAE. Israel's flag carrier El Al had planned replacement flights to bring them home but was forced to cancel them due to a lack of landing permission from Emirati authorities. El Al has stated that it is prepared to carry out special flights to Dubai and return the Israelis home as soon as possible, pending approval from the authorities.
Machchhar's bravery and quick thinking have been widely praised, with many hailing him as a hero. Indian Prime Minister Modi spoke with Machchhar from his hospital bed, expressing gratitude for his actions. Modi noted that Machchhar's efforts helped save many lives and avert "a great tragedy". The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of aviation security and the bravery of those who work in the industry.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities working to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack. The incident highlights the complexities of international aviation and the need for vigilance in ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. Key points include: - The heroic actions of pilot Smit Machchhar prevented a catastrophic outcome. - The incident is under investigation for potential terrorist activity or intent. - The co-pilot, an Omani national, has been returned to the UAE.
