Smit Machchhar says in video call with Indian PM that he realised if he did not get up then ‘passengers would lose their lives’

The Indian pilot who helped thwart an apparent attempt to crash a flydubai flight has described how he fought for his life in the minutes after his co-pilot stabbed him and the plane began a steep descent.

Capt Smit Machchhar, who is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital, told the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, in a video call broadcast live on television news channels that he knew he had to get back on his feet to save the passengers onboard.

“I had so many wounds. I had fallen down,” he said on Friday from the hospital, his head bandaged and tubes in his nose, before breaking down as he recalled the attack.

  • jjpamsterdam@feddit.org
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    9 hours ago

    It’s unbelievable how many things had to go right, in order to avoid tragedy. In these dark times, I’ve almost forgotten how events unexpectedly turning out better than they could have been feels. Just a re-cap:

    1. The pilot had to overcome his injuries and open the door from the inside.
    2. Passangers and crew had no overpower the attacker while the plane is in full descent.
    3. A separate crew had to be on board to regain control over the aircraft and land it safely
    4. A doctor and a nurse were on board to administer first aid, probably saving the pilot’s life.
    • saimen@feddit.org
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      4 hours ago

      I wonder what would have happened without the second crew. Would they have tried to instruct someone how to land?

    • Fishnoodle@lemmy.world
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      8 hours ago

      I know, and it happens to give an image boost to netanhymie right before a critical election, and it all happened on Saudi flight right after benji just had a 6 hour meeting with Saudi leadership

      So many coincidences!

      • jjpamsterdam@feddit.org
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        5 hours ago

        I really really doubt that the pilot volunteered to get stabbed several times and receive life threatening injuries. Take your conspiracy theory aluminium hat off and please go outside. I suggest taking a nice walk.

        • Rat_in_a_hat@lemmy.ca
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          2 hours ago

          If Israel hasn’t carried out countless false flag operations, then this story would be more believable.

          Let’s not forget that Israel and bibi himself had received several warnings about the Oct 7 attack and still didn’t do anything. There’s no limit to what bibi would do ahead of elections right now

        • saimen@feddit.org
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          4 hours ago

          Not that I believe this theory, but the pilot definitely would not have needed to be in on it. Actually quite convenient he was neither Saudi nor Israeli.

          • Rat_in_a_hat@lemmy.ca
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            2 hours ago

            Indian ethno nationalists (hindutvas) who support Modi are very pro Israel because they’re cut from the same cloth