Indian pilot Smit Machar, pilot of the Flydubai plane, said that he realized while he was being attacked by his co-pilot during the flight that the plane was falling, so he quickly opened the cockpit door to seek help. This came during Machar's call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

Published on: 02/10/2026 - 11:31 Last updated: 02/10/2026 - 11:59

Indian pilot Smit Machhar, captain of a Flydubai flight, said on Wednesday that he opened the cockpit door while he was being attacked by his co-pilot. During a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was released on Friday, Machar recounted the details of the attack and his opening of the cockpit door for help.

The pilot appeared in the video clip with a tube in his nose and bandages covering his head and hands, speaking to Modi from his bed in a hospital in Abu Dhabi. The call lasted about 10 minutes, and was published on the Prime Minister's accounts on social media platforms, while Machar wiped away his tears while recounting the details of his ordeal.

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The Indian pilot said: "I realized that the plane was falling... I had fallen to the ground. I told myself that the door was right in front of me, and I just had to open it. And I actually succeeded in doing so and people entered."

Machhar was stabbed by his assistant during an attempt said to be aimed at shooting down the plane on Wednesday.

The plane, which was carrying 174 people, suddenly plunged to a distance of approximately 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds during the incident.

“I realized that the plane was going to crash... I know that God saved me.”

He added: "I have been a pilot for 17 years, and I became the primary pilot for 11 years. I realized that the plane was going to crash."

Modi praised Machhar's courage, stressing that his quick wit saved lives and preserved the reputation of Indian pilots.

"I know that God saved me," said an emotional Machhar. He told the Prime Minister that he was reciting Hindu prayers during the ordeal.

A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Machhar was covered in blood and lying on the ground when he managed to open the cockpit door.

This allowed passengers and crew members to control the co-pilot, and enabled another crew of Flydubai pilots on board the flight to take control of the plane and land it in the Saudi city of Tabuk.

France 24/Reuters

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