RismadarVoice Reporters
October 2, 2026
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has recounted his efforts to regain control of a Flydubai aircraft after an alleged confrontation with his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Machchhar, who was receiving treatment in the United Arab Emirates, spoke about the incident during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
“I was trying to save my own life, but I knew I could not let all those people die,” the pilot said.
The Boeing 737 was carrying 174 passengers when the incident occurred on Wednesday.
Machchhar, who has 17 years of aviation experience, including 11 years as a captain, said he realised the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude while he was injured and struggling to remain conscious.
He said he made an effort to reach the cockpit despite his condition as the situation aboard the aircraft deteriorated.
According to Machchhar’s account, passengers and other people aboard the aircraft became involved as efforts were made to bring the situation under control.
The precise circumstances that led to the confrontation remain under investigation, including allegations that the co-pilot attacked Machchhar and that a struggle subsequently developed aboard the aircraft.
The plane was eventually diverted and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Modi praised Machchhar’s actions during their conversation, crediting his response with helping to protect the passengers aboard the flight.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the actions of the pilot and passengers following the incident.
Flight-tracking information cited in reports indicated that the aircraft lost about 17,000 feet of altitude in approximately one minute during the emergency.
Authorities are expected to establish the sequence of events aboard the aircraft and the circumstances that led to the sudden loss of altitude as investigations continue.
