Jerusalem, October 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot who fought off an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to seize control of a Flydubai aircraft bound for Israel, has recounted the terrifying moments of the cockpit attack, saying he summoned his remaining strength to prevent the aircraft from going down.
Machchhar, who sustained serious injuries in the incident, shared his account during a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli leader praised the pilot’s courage and invited him, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a ceremonial flame at Israel’s next Independence Day ceremony.
Recalling the incident, Machchhar said the flight had begun normally. His co-pilot had told him he wanted to pray, which the captain said was a common practice among local passengers and crew. While looking towards the front of the cockpit out of respect, he was suddenly struck hard on the back of his head.
“My first thought was that there was catastrophic damage to the aircraft,” Machchhar said, adding that repeated blows made him realise he was being attacked by the person sitting beside him. The assault severely affected his vision, leaving him struggling to see clearly as the aircraft began descending sharply.
Machchhar said he remembered lying on the cockpit floor, hearing the aircraft’s movement and passengers screaming. Although he managed to open the cockpit door once, he believed the co-pilot had closed it again.
Describing his final effort to reach the door, he said, “I had that one last fight left in me.” He pushed himself towards it and managed to open it, allowing people waiting outside to intervene and take control of the situation.
Netanyahu lauded Machchhar’s composure and bravery, calling his actions remarkable and “bordering on the miraculous.” He described the pilot as a hero of Israel, India and the world, and wished him a speedy recovery.
The conversation came a day after Modi spoke to Machchhar by telephone and praised his “immense courage and unwavering resolve” in protecting the lives of those on board despite his serious injuries.
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