{
  "id": 11411574,
  "title": "'I couldn't let others die': Hero flydubai pilot tells of cockpit attack",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-couldnt-let-others-die-hero-flydubai-pilot-tells-of-cockpit-attack",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T09:56:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/02/i-couldnt-let-others-die-hero-flydubai-pilot-tells-of-cockpit-attack/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Capt Smit Machchhar, the daring hero pilot of flydubai, recounted his harrowing ordeal in a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Modi from an Abu Dhabi hospital bed. Machchhar, who saved the lives of 174 passengers during a cockpit attack, revealed the pivotal moment when he decided to fight for his own survival after being assaulted. Despite his numerous injuries, Machchhar knew that if he did not regain control of the aircraft, the disaster could have claimed the lives of everyone on board. With a mix of pain and determination, he managed to open the cockpit door and allow fellow passengers and a reserve pilot to steady the aircraft, which had plummeted 14,000ft. The passengers' quick actions played a crucial role in averting a catastrophe, and Machchhar emphasized that he could not let others die. He credited his Hanuman Chalisa prayers for granting him the strength to endure the ordeal and recover. Indian Prime Minister Modi expressed his admiration for Machchhar's courage and praised his ability to make life-saving decisions under immense pressure. The Indian nation, Modi stated, was proud of the pilot and eager to welcome him home. The UAE government has launched an investigation to determine if the attack was of a terrorist nature.",
  "summary": "Capt Smit Machchhar, flydubai’s hero pilot who saved the lives of 174 passengers, has revealed how he fought for survival after being attacked, tapped into the final ounce of his strength to open the critical cockpit door. In his first public conversation on Friday since the bloody attack in the cockpit on the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, Capt Machchhar spoke to Indian Prime Minister Modi from an Abu…",
  "key_points": [
    "Capt Smit Machchhar saved 174 passengers during cockpit attack",
    "Machchhar fought for survival after being assaulted in Abu Dhabi hospital",
    "Indian PM Modi praised Machchhar's courage and life-saving decisions"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "'I couldn't let others die': Hero flydubai pilot tells of cockpit attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-couldnt-let-others-die-hero-flydubai-pilot-tells-of-cockpit-attack-11411877",
        "published": "2026-10-02T09:56:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}