Captain Smith Machachar, the pilot of the Flydubai flight, fought with all his might to save the lives of passengers and crew during an unfortunate incident in which he was injured by his co-pilot. In an interview with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, he recounted the critical moments of that day and explained how he continued to fight in difficult conditions.
Efforts to Save Others' Lives
Smith Machachar, while severely injured, had fallen in the cockpit and was grappling with the attacking co-pilot. He said, "I was injured on the cabin floor, but I told myself to try one last time to open the door from the inside." He added that others also came to help and played a role in regaining control of the situation. Machachar emphasized, "Of course, I was fighting for my own life, but at the same time, I knew I couldn't let others die."
Flight Crash and Rescue in Critical Moments
The Tel Aviv flight from Dubai suddenly fell two and a half hours after takeoff, reaching an altitude of 17,000 feet (5,200 meters). At that moment, the passengers and crew managed to overcome the attacking co-pilot and regain control of the aircraft. The flight was forced to divert to Tabuk, a city in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Captain Machachar, recognized as a true hero, was transferred by air ambulance to a hospital in Abu Dhabi, and his health condition has been reported as stable. Deepak Mittal, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, also expressed pride in his bravery and announced that he would meet him soon.
Machachar, reflecting on his 17 years of flying experience, said, "I can even tell what is happening to the plane with my eyes closed." He views his injuries as a challenge and sees his recovery as a journey that is gradually unfolding.
Flydubai also stated in a statement that there was a confrontation in the cockpit and that the flight was successfully piloted under the control of two crew members of the company.
