Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar has recounted the dramatic moments inside the cockpit during a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,
describing how he fought his way to the cockpit door after being attacked by his co-pilot. Netanyahu praised the Indian pilot for his actions during the incident and credited him with saving lives. "I, frankly, I'm amazed at your courage, at your coolness of judgement under impossible conditions," Netanyahu said. Machchhar told Netanyahu that nothing appeared unusual during the flight until he suddenly felt a powerful blow to the back of his head while he was looking towards the front of the aircraft. "My first thought was that there was a catastrophic damage to the aircraft and something is not right," Machchhar said. The pilot initially believed the aircraft itself may have suffered serious damage. But as the attack continued, he realised that the threat was coming from inside the cockpit. "And that's when I realised that it's not the aircraft, it's the other guy who was in the cockpit with me," he said. Machchhar said the attack badly affected his vision and left him struggling to make sense of what was happening. The situation became even more alarming when he felt the aircraft begin to descend sharply. "My memory is still in bits and pieces right now," he told Netanyahu. He said he made an attempt to get the cockpit door open, but the co-pilot managed to close it again. At one point, Machchhar was on the cockpit floor as he heard the aircraft moving rapidly and passengers screaming. With the situation deteriorating, the pilot said he knew he had to make another attempt. "And as I was telling the ambassador here, that I had that one last fight left in me that, you know, call it personal or call it for people," he said. "But let's say I did it that if I don't do it, I'm going to die." Machchhar eventually managed to reach the door and open it. People waiting outside then entered and took over the situation. "And thankfully people were waiting to bounce back, took over the control and the rest is what you know, sir," Machchhar said.
How He Managed To Open The Cockpit Door
Netanyahu later asked Machchhar how he was able to get the door open when the co-pilot was blocking attempts to enter.
Machchhar explained that the cockpit door can normally be accessed from outside using a code. However, there is also a twist mechanism on the inside of the door.
The crew outside had been trying to use the code, but the attacker was preventing the door from being opened.
"The only way to open the door was to reach the knob and like any other knob, just to twist it open and it opens on its own," Machchhar said.
"There is no pin, but yes, the door, it was, it was a short, quick twist, but the point was to reach to that point, to reach to that place."
Machchhar said he finally reached the knob and was able to twist it open, allowing those outside to intervene.
Netanyahu Invites Pilot To Israel
Netanyahu praised Machchhar throughout the conversation and described his actions as an example of extraordinary courage in an extremely difficult situation.
"You're a hero of Israel. You're a hero of India. You're a hero of the entire world," Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister also invited Machchhar and his family to Israel and proposed a special honour for the pilot.
Netanyahu said he wanted Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a celebratory flame during Israel's next Independence Day ceremony. He noted that the honour is generally given to Israeli citizens.
"I really would like them to bear a celebratory flame. It's our highest honour that we give in our Independence Day. It's usually reserved for Israeli citizens," Netanyahu said.
"But I think here in this case, all the citizens of Israel will, will embrace you. They do now and they will then too."
Machchhar thanked Netanyahu and said he was looking forward to visiting Israel.
Netanyahu concluded the conversation by wishing the pilot a quick recovery and saying that his eventual visit would be "memorable and historic".
