A flydubai flight carrying 174 people plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds after a violent mid-air cockpit attack on Wednesday, according to regional authorities and official reports. The jet, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was stabilized only after wounded Indian captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door while bleeding from multiple injuries, allowing passengers to overpower the Omani co-pilot and enable a reserve crew to land safely in Saudi Arabia.
Captain Smit Machchhar Recounts The Cockpit Struggle
Speaking from a hospital bed in Abu Dhabi during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Captain Smit Machchhar described the desperate final moments before the aircraft hit a critical descent. Machchhar, a pilot with 17 years of experience who has served as a captain for 11 years, stated that he knew the plane was going down while taking blows on the floor. “I was trying to save my own life, but I knew I could not let all those people die,” he told Modi in a video shared on social media by the Indian prime minister’s office.
Covered in blood and suffering from head, hand, and nasal injuries, the captain recited a Hindu prayer to the monkey god Hanuman as he dragged himself toward the cockpit door. “I told myself that the door is right there, just open it. I managed to do it and people entered,” Machchhar said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesperson confirmed that Machchhar’s actions on the flight floor enabled passengers and crew to neutralize the attacker.
Passenger Intervention And The Emergency Landing In Saudi Arabia
Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber, told Netanyahu during a video conference call that he and fellow travelers acted entirely on survival instinct when the cockpit door flew open. Another passenger, Shota Musayev, a dentist who treated the captain on board, captured mobile phone video showing the co-pilot kneeling with his hands tied behind his back after being subdued.
With the co-pilot restrained, a reserve flight crew entered the flight deck and assumed control, ultimately diverting the damaged jet to land safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli security officials noted that the plane’s rapid descent was so severe that its rudder was torn away during the maneuver.
Israeli And United States Assessments Of The Co-Pilot
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that preliminary security assessments indicate the Omani co-pilot acted alone and was likely suicidal, pointing to prior background indicators of “Islamist radical indoctrination.” Netanyahu added that four Israeli passengers would receive heroism awards for preventing a catastrophic disaster. Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that he and Netanyahu discussed the incident at length, warning that Iran would be “hit very hard” if investigators uncover any state links to the attack.
The United Arab Emirates announced that it opened an official investigation to determine whether the attack stemmed from terrorism or mental disorders, with the UAE president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, agreeing to permit Israeli officials to join the interrogation of the suspect. In response to the security breach, flydubai announced the immediate suspension of all flights between Dubai and Israel while aviation authorities gather facts.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Flydubai Incident
Where did the flydubai flight land after the attack?
The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a reserve crew took over the controls following the cockpit struggle.
What is the medical status of Captain Smit Machchhar?
Captain Machchhar is recovering in stable condition at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, where he received a video call from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praising his bravery.
Will flydubai continue operating flights to Israel?
Flydubai suspended all scheduled flights between Dubai and Israel while aviation and government authorities in the region conduct a joint investigation into the incident.