I opened cockpit door while being attacked, says pilot of Dubai-Israel flight
3 hours ago
- Indian pilot Capt Smit Machchhar of a Flydubai flight was attacked by his co-pilot and fought to open the cockpit door, refusing to let others die.
- The plane, FZ1073, plunged over 17,000 feet mid-flight before sending a hijack code (squawk 7500).
- Israeli PM Netanyahu said the co-pilot stabbed the pilot and tried to crash the plane, but was subdued by passengers and crew.
- Two reserve pilots aboard as passengers landed the plane safely at Tabuk Airport, Saudi Arabia.
- Machchhar was hailed as a hero by Netanyahu and Modi, and is recovering in Abu Dhabi after treatment in Tabuk.
- Investigations suggest possible Islamist radical indoctrination, and the UAE is probing any terrorist links.
- Machchhar said he viewed his wound not as a wound but as a journey to recovery, confident he'll be healthy again.