Friend says injured Flydubai captain is recovering after cockpit attack

A close friend of Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar says the pilot is recovering after allegedly being attacked by his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Captain Dhaval Patel, who trained with Machchhar and has known him for almost two decades, told ABC News that footage of the incident was shocking. He said it was difficult to see someone he knew and loved in such circumstances.

Machchhar was moved to Abu Dhabi for further treatment and was recovering well, according to India’s embassy in the United Arab Emirates. His family travelled from India to be with him. During a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar said he had collapsed on the cockpit floor but realised the aircraft was going down.

Despite being stabbed, he said he reached the door and opened it, allowing passengers and others to enter. Machchhar said passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot, while a second pair of Flydubai pilots took control and landed the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. He said his 17 years of flying experience, including 11 years as a captain, helped him understand what was happening while he was injured.

The flight was carrying 174 people and briefly descended about 17,000 feet before control was restored. Saudi Arabia’s embassy to the United States said preliminary investigations indicated that the first officer had assaulted the captain and that both sustained injuries. The UAE has said it will investigate the incident.

The supplied report also cites conflicting public claims about the alleged attacker’s motives, including statements by Israeli and UAE officials. Those claims have not been established in the material provided. Modi praised Machchhar’s actions, while Patel said his friend was recovering steadily and was out of danger.