{
  "id": 11432104,
  "title": "I wasn’t going to let others die, says Indian pilot who opened cockpit door during attack",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-wasnt-going-to-let-others-die-says-indian-pilot-who-opened-cockpit-11432104",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T12:01:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/i-wasnt-going-to-let-others-die-says-indian-pilot-who-opened-cockpit-door-during-attack/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian pilot Smit Machchhar opened the cockpit door of a Flydubai plane bound for Tel Aviv during an attack, allowing passengers to come in and stop the rapid descent. In a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar recounted how he was injured on the ground but still fought to save lives. \"I was lying on the floor injured, but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside,\" he said. \"Others came in and also played a role [in controlling the situation]. I was of course fighting for my own life, but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die.\" The plane had been attacked by another pilot, forcing the aircraft to divert to Saudi Arabia. Machchhar's heroic actions led to passengers and crew overpowering the attacker and reasserting control, enabling a safe landing. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar's courage, patience, and quick decision-making, calling him a \"true hero\" and expressing the nation's pride in his actions. The captain was initially hospitalized in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and later airlifted to Abu Dhabi, where he is reported to be in stable condition. The Indian embassy in the UAE confirmed Machchhar was \"in good health and recovering well,\" praising his bravery and expressing reassurance about his recovery. Machchhar himself emphasized the importance of focusing on the healing process rather than dwelling on his injuries, expressing confidence in his eventual return to full health.",
  "summary": "Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has said he opened the cockpit door of the Israel-bound Flydubai plane to allow passengers to come in and halt its rapid descent.",
  "key_points": [
    "Smit Machchhar opened Flydubai cockpit door during attack to allow passengers to stop descent.",
    "Injured on ground, Machchhar fought to open door from inside, saving lives.",
    "Indian PM Modi lauded Machchhar's courage, calling him a true hero."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Govt to deliberate on advisory for Indian airlines after flydubai cockpit stabbing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/govt-to-deliberate-on-advisory-for-indian-airlines-after-flydubai",
        "published": "2026-10-02T06:20:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "I wasn't going to let others die, says Indian pilot who opened cockpit door during attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-wasnt-going-to-let-others-die-says-indian-pilot-who-opened-cockpit",
        "published": "2026-10-02T07:42:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls FlyDubai cockpit attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-was-fighting-for-my-life-indian-pilot-hailed-as-hero-recalls",
        "published": "2026-10-02T07:49:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls flydubai cockpit attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-was-fighting-for-my-life-indian-pilot-hailed-as-hero-recalls-11399093",
        "published": "2026-10-02T08:31:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls flydubai cockpit attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-was-fighting-for-my-life-indian-pilot-hailed-as-hero-recalls-11399112",
        "published": "2026-10-02T08:31:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "'I was fighting for my life': Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls FlyDubai cockpit attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/i-was-fighting-for-my-life-indian-pilot-hailed-as-hero-recalls-11407412",
        "published": "2026-10-02T09:36:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Indian flydubai pilot opened cockpit door to save passengers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/indian-flydubai-pilot-opened-cockpit-door-to-save-passengers",
        "published": "2026-10-02T10:30:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "UAE President advisor: Hijacking a terrorist act, Indian pilot deserves every bit of appreciation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/uae-president-advisor-hijacking-a-terrorist-act-indian-pilot-deserves",
        "published": "2026-10-02T11:10:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Anwar Gargash praises Indian flydubai pilot for courage during security incident",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/anwar-gargash-praises-indian-flydubai-pilot-for-courage-during",
        "published": "2026-10-02T11:35:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}