Capt Smit Machchhar, the pilot attacked on an Israel-bound Flydubai flight, has spoken publicly for the first time after being praised for saving the lives of 174 people. He managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers, including two off-duty pilots, to stabilise the plunging plane.
Attack and rapid descent
The plane plunged more than 17,000 ft, but once Capt Machchhar let passengers and crew into the cockpit, they overpowered the attacker. The captain had called the Indian Prime Minister, saying he was on the ground being attacked by his co-pilot when he realised the plane was rapidly sinking.
Capt Machchhar said: 'I was lying on the floor injured, but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside.'
Captain's recovery and praise
'Others came in and also played a role [in controlling the situation]. I was of course fighting for my own life, but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die,' he added. The flight diverted to Saudi Arabia, where the captain was taken to hospital.
'I am not looking at this wound like a wound because that would make my recovery even more difficult,' he said. 'I am looking at it as a journey which is slowly going on and will take time, but I am confident that the recovery will be there and I will become fit and healthy again.'
Suspected attacker details
The co-pilot accused of trying to hijack the flight was allegedly a religious extremist who showed 'very strange behaviour.' The suspected attacker is said to be an Omani national, although his details are yet to be officially confirmed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today that the pilot was shouting 'kill me' after he was tied up. 'It's clear he was suicidal, that's not a question,' Netanyahu said. Prime Minister Modi said Machchhar's 'courage, patience and quick decision-making saved the lives of so many people', adding the whole country was proud of him. Netanyahu also described him as a 'true hero'.
