First Visuals Of Injured Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Surface After Flydubai Cockpit Attack

The first visuals of Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured while allegedly foiling an attempt by his co-pilot to crash a Flydubai flight, surfaced on Thursday.

The visuals show injuries on Machchhar’s right side, including his abdomen, chest and shoulder.

According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, allegedly attacked Machchhar with a knife during the flight. The aircraft subsequently plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before the situation was brought under control.

Machchhar was initially reported to be in stable condition and receiving treatment at a hospital in Saudi Arabia. He was later airlifted to Dubai for further treatment.

Investigations into the incident are underway, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack and the rapid loss of altitude.

Flydubai Flight Horror

 

Machchhar was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, on Wednesday. The plane was carrying 174 people.

Machchhar was covered with blood on the floor when he managed to draw on “the last moments of his energy” to click open the release on the cockpit door, The Times of Israel reported, quoting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesperson Doron Spielman.

That allowed pᴀssengers and crew to overpower the copilot and enable a second pair of flydubai pilots who were on board to land the jet in Tabuk, the report said.

Netanyahu, in a statement, has hailed Machchhar as a “true hero”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar for his actions during the incident. PM Modi described him as a “hero” and said his courage and resolve helped avert a major tragedy.