Injured FlyDubai Pilot Recounts Cockpit Struggle After Attack

Captain Smith Machchhar of FlyDubai flight FZ1073, who was injured in an attack by his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, has spoken for the first time about the incident. Speaking via video link from a hospital in the UAE, Machchhar, an Indian national, told Indian Prime Minister that after the assault, he forced himself to get up and attempt to open the cockpit door. Machchhar described feeling the plane descend and realizing it was a critical moment, urging himself to "just do it" and reach the door. Despite continued blows from the co-pilot, he managed to open the door, allowing others to intervene. Machchhar emphasized that he did not consider saving the plane solely his achievement, stating that "others played no less a role." He added, "I had many injuries, but I forced myself to get up and act," and acknowledged thinking about his own survival while simultaneously realizing he "could not let them all die."

During the attack, Machchhar repeatedly recited the "Hanuman Chalisa," a Hindu hymn. He explained that this prayer, which he regularly recites with his two-year-old son, comes to mind when he is scared. "We live far from our country, but not from our culture," he said.

Testimonies from Israeli passengers corroborate Machchhar's account. Passengers heard screams from the front of the cabin, after which the plane began to bank and lose altitude. Passenger Yaniv Hayun approached the cockpit and saw the bloodied captain near the door, with the cabin covered in blood. Hayun and a flight crew member struggled with the co-pilot, who was positioned between the pilot seats. Hayun pulled the attacker out, and other passengers assisted in restraining and tying him up with headphones and zip ties.

After the attacker was removed, Hayun, lacking pilot training, briefly took control of the yoke to stabilize the aircraft until another flight crew member on board assumed command. Israeli dentist Shota Musaev, a passenger, provided first aid to the severely injured Machchhar, managing to stop bleeding from his head and hands and stabilizing his condition until landing.

The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar received initial treatment before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for further care. The Ambassador of India to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, visited him in the hospital. Indian authorities report his condition as satisfactory.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior initially reported that the co-pilot attacked the captain, and both were injured. They were transferred to UAE authorities and taken to Abu Dhabi under security escort. Saudi investigative materials have been shared with the UAE, where a special investigative team is examining the co-pilot's motive, whether the attack was premeditated, and if he had connections to terrorist organizations or foreign entities.

Reuters, citing preliminary assessments from Israeli security services, suggests the attacker likely acted alone, with no evidence of Iranian involvement. However, a UAE source told i24NEWS that materials from "Free Palestine" organizations and pro-Palestinian publications were found among the belongings of the Omani co-pilot, who had previously expressed support for Palestinians and hostility towards Israel. UAE authorities have not officially confirmed these details.

Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog announced his intention to award presidential commendations for civil heroism to Yaniv Hayun, Zvika Manes, Assaf Rajuan, and Shota Musaev for their roles in the rescue, subduing the attacker, and aiding the injured captain.