Indian pilot, Smit Machchhar has recounted how he struggled to prevent a potential disaster after he was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot during a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.
Machchhar, speaking to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his hospital bed on Friday, said his immediate concern was to protect the passengers despite suffering serious injuries.
“I was trying to save my own life, but I knew I could not let all those people die,” Machchhar said in a video of the conversation shared by Modi on social media.
The Boeing 737, operated by Dubai-based flydubai, was carrying 174 passengers when the confrontation occurred on Wednesday.
Machchhar, who has 17 years of experience in aviation, including 11 years as a captain, said he realised the aircraft was losing altitude while he was lying injured and knew he had to make one final effort to prevent a catastrophe.
“I had suffered so many injuries that I had collapsed. At that time, I could feel that the aircraft was going down. I knew this was the last push, that the door was right there.
“I was being hit even then, but I just opened the door and everyone came in,” he said.
The pilot said his extensive experience in aviation helped him understand the seriousness of the situation even as he dealt with his injuries.
The exact circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain under investigation. The co-pilot is alleged to have attacked Machchhar, resulting in injuries and a struggle over control of the aircraft.
The situation prompted passengers to intervene in the cockpit and help prevent the aircraft from crashing. The flight was subsequently diverted and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Modi praised Machchhar for his actions, saying they contributed to saving hundreds of lives and preventing what could have been a major tragedy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier also credited Machchhar and the passengers with helping to avert a disaster.
Passengers reportedly rushed towards the cockpit and became involved in the struggle after the aircraft suddenly lost altitude.
According to flight-tracking website Flightradar24, the aircraft dropped by approximately 17,000 feet within a minute during the incident.
Dubai-Tel Aviv flight: Indian pilot reveals how he saved passengers after attack