Fly Dubai Incident: Indian Pilot Tells Modi About the Moments of Saving the Tel Aviv Flight

The Indian pilot Smit Machhar, who was stabbed by his co-pilot during a Fly Dubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, recounted the details of the attack and opening the cockpit door in search of help during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

Pilot Smit Machhar appeared with a tube in his nose and bandages on his head and hands, speaking to Modi from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi, during a clip that lasted about 10 minutes and was published on the Indian Prime Minister's social media accounts.

Machhar told Modi: "I was fighting for my life, and I realized at that moment that if I did not have the courage, 170 passengers would lose their lives."

He added: "I knew the plane was going down... I had fallen to the ground, and I told myself that the door is there, and all I have to do is open it. I managed to do that, and people came in."

Machhar was stabbed by his co-pilot on Wednesday, following reports of an attempted hijacking of the plane, which dropped nearly 4,267 meters in less than 30 seconds during the incident.

Matschar said: "I have been working in aviation for 17 years, and I have been a pilot for 11 years. I knew the plane was going down."

Modi praised Matschar's bravery, stating that his quick thinking contributed to saving lives and maintaining the reputation of Indian pilots.

Matschar, visibly affected, said: "I know that God saved me." The pilot, hailing from the state of Gujarat, Modi's birthplace, added that he was reciting prayers during the incident.

On Thursday, Modi spoke with the pilot's wife and parents, assuring them of full support for Matschar and his family.

Modi had previously described Matschar as a "hero," praising his "tremendous courage" on the platform "X."

Modi said that "an Indian prevented a tragedy similar to the September 11 attacks."

Before joining Fly Dubai, Machar spent 11 years with SpiceJet, where he worked as a captain and pilot trainer.

The UAE stated on Thursday that it is monitoring the incident involving Fly Dubai flight FZ1073, which was en route from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv and was diverted, landing safely at Taba Airport in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that investigations include various circumstances of the incident and its motives, as well as any links to terrorist activity or prior planning or direction.

A responsible source in the Saudi Ministry of Interior reported that the relevant authorities dealt with an emergency declared by Fly Dubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday, granting the aircraft permission for an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport.

The source clarified that the aircraft landed safely at 9:45 AM on Wednesday, September 30, with 174 passengers on board, in addition to a crew of 8 members, noting that necessary care was provided to all those on board.

The Saudi Ministry of Interior revealed the results of the preliminary investigations into the circumstances of the emergency landing of a Fly Dubai aircraft at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in the city of Tabuk.

The source stated that the preliminary investigations, conducted by the relevant Saudi authorities with the participation of a security team from the UAE, indicated that "an assault occurred on the aircraft's captain by his co-pilot," resulting in both sustaining various injuries.

After their health condition improved and with the medical team's approval for their departure, the aircraft's captain and co-pilot left Saudi Arabia on Thursday morning heading to Abu Dhabi accompanied by the Emirati security team, according to the source.