New Delhi. Indian pilot Captain Smit Machar of flydubai has shared the experience of the horrifying incident in which he was attacked inside the cockpit during the flight. His condition had worsened due to continuous blows on the head and he was losing consciousness again and again. Despite this, he continued his efforts to control himself and protect the people on board the plane.
In an interview given to Sky News Arabia, Machar said that at that time he had only one thing in his mind that he could not lose his life like this. He said, “I realized I had to do something. I can't die like this. I can't accept my death.” He described that difficult moment as a miracle and said that the people present in the plane had a strong will to survive.
Took attention for Namaz, then got attacked on the head
According to Captain Machar, flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was initially operating normally. About two hours into the flight, co-pilot Hamam Al Hamami expressed his desire to offer prayers. Expressing his respect, Machar turned his attention elsewhere. During this time, he was hit hard on the back of his head.
He told that at first he felt that some part of the roof of the plane had broken and fallen on his head. But within a few seconds they realized that they were under attack. The blows were so strong that his vision became blurred and things in front were no longer visible clearly.
Fell unconscious again and again, still tried to open the door
Machar told that after the attack he was fainting again and again. He unbuckled his seat belt and tried to protect himself from further attacks. During this, his hand also got injured. He attempted to call the other captain into the cockpit and reach the switch to open the door.
According to him, at one point he managed to open the cockpit door, but after being threatened by the attacker, the door was closed again. Meanwhile, he felt a change in the sound of the plane's engine and the plane seemed to be going down rapidly.
Captain Machar said that he was not in a position to see the instruments properly, but he could sense the disturbance from the sound of the engine and the change in the speed of the aircraft. His memories of the attack are also not completely clear. He remembers that he was trying to reach the door and was moving forward with the help of his legs. He later found himself lying between the cockpit and the galley.
The conflict was also mentioned in the conversation with Netanyahu
Earlier, during treatment in the hospital, Machar had also told about the attack in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He said that he was hit repeatedly on the back of the head and in the initial moments he did not understand what had happened.
During the conversation with Netanyahu, Machar mentioned the last strength left within him and said that he felt he had another chance to act. He managed to open the cockpit door, giving passengers and crew members the opportunity to intervene to take control of the situation.
Passengers and crew helped control the attacker
According to the case, in the flydubai flight going from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the co-pilot had attacked Captain Machar with emergency crash axe. The passengers, cabin crew and some other pilots who were not on duty helped in controlling the situation and controlling the attacker. After this other pilots took control of the plane.
The plane was diverted towards Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. All 180 people on board the plane were evacuated safely. No one died in the incident. The co-pilot was taken into custody after landing.
There was an alleged plan to crash the plane into Tel Aviv airport
During the investigation, the UAE Attorney General said that the co-pilot's alleged plan was to take control of the plane and crash it into the passenger terminal of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. UAE authorities are investigating this case as an attempt to hijack the plane. The investigation is ongoing and the final findings regarding the allegations will depend on the investigation by the concerned authorities.
Captain Machar, injured in the attack, was first given treatment at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. He was later flown to Abu Dhabi for further treatment. The Indian Embassy had informed on October 6 that his health was continuously improving.
Made first call to son, expressed gratitude to those who helped him
Speaking to Sky News Arabia, Machar expressed his gratitude to the people who helped him during his treatment. He told that after the incident he first called his two-year-old son.
According to Machar, the memory of the attack would suddenly return to his mind many times. At such moments his heartbeat would increase. It was only after the plane landed safely that he realized he was out of immediate danger.
The courage of the Indian pilot and his struggle in difficult circumstances has also been appreciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump. Machar expressed his gratitude for the treatment and support he received in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, saying that he will never forget the support he received there.