An Indian pilot has been praised after a dramatic new account emerged of the role he allegedly played in helping passengers intervene during the terrifying Flydubai cockpit attack.
Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot of Flydubai Flight 1073 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was reportedly attacked during the mid-air confrontation that forced the aircraft to divert to Saudi Arabia.
Captain Fought Back After Attack
Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing Israeli passengers and Emirati crew members to enter and intervene.
According to the account circulating online, Machchhar did not simply remain inside the cockpit after being attacked.
Instead, the injured captain reportedly fought back and managed to unlock the cockpit door.
That crucial action allowed people outside the cockpit to gain access and help restrain the alleged attacker while other crew members worked to regain control of the aircraft.
Passengers Helped Crew
The incident occurred while the Boeing 737 was flying at high altitude, with reports indicating that the aircraft subsequently lost thousands of feet in a matter of minutes.
Passengers reportedly responded after hearing screams and discovering that something was wrong in the cockpit.
Israeli passengers are said to have entered the cockpit alongside Emirati crew members and helped restrain the alleged attacker.
The aircraft eventually diverted from its scheduled route and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, with the passengers reported safe.
Indian, Israeli and Emirati Team
The dramatic incident brought together people from three different nationalities during a moment of extreme danger.
Machchhar, an Indian captain, was reportedly at the centre of the emergency, while Israeli passengers and Emirati crew members helped intervene after the cockpit door was opened.
The account describes their combined actions as instrumental in preventing further harm to the passengers.
Both pilots were injured during the incident and were taken to hospital after the aircraft landed in Tabuk.
Captain Taken to Hospital
The circumstances surrounding the cockpit attack, including the motive and sequence of events, remain under investigation.
Earlier reports initially described the incident as a physical altercation between the pilots before subsequent accounts indicated that the captain had been injured.
Flight 1073 had departed Dubai International Airport bound for Tel Aviv when the emergency unfolded.
The aircraft transmitted an emergency signal before briefly broadcasting squawk code 7500, an internationally recognised signal associated with hijacking or unlawful interference.
The alert prompted an Israeli security response, including the scrambling of fighter jets. The aircraft ultimately landed safely in Saudi Arabia, bringing the frightening ordeal to an end.
Captain Machchhar’s actions have added another dimension to the incident, with his decision to unlock the cockpit door providing an opportunity for passengers and crew to intervene.
