Flydubai captain recalls struggle to open cockpit door during attempted terror attack
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar says he kept thinking to himself, 'you can't die like this,' as he struggled to alert others that he was being attacked with an axe by his Omani copilot
Dubai: A flydubai pilot has recounted the harrowing experience of a cockpit attack that left him bleeding and disoriented during a September 30 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Indian captain Smit Machchhar detailed the incident, which began as a routine journey before it escalated two hours after take-off. The attack occurred when the co-pilot, who was praying, exited the cockpit, leaving Machchhar to check the aircraft's systems.
Suddenly, he was struck, suffering blows to his head and hand, and losing consciousness multiple times. Machchhar managed to reach the cockpit door, shouting for help, but the co-pilot threatened to strike others. Despite the trauma, Machchhar credits his colleague for taking control and safely landing the aircraft in Saudi Arabia.
The pilot expressed deep gratitude for the medical care received in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where he continues treatment for his injuries.
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