Indian flydubai pilot Capt Smit Machchhar has given a detailed account of the terrifying cockpit incident involving his co-pilot during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Machchhar, who is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in the UAE, recalled being repeatedly struck from behind before realising that the danger was coming from the other person inside the cockpit.
The Indian pilot said the attack left his vision severely blurred and that he remembers parts of the incident only in fragments. He also described how he made a final effort to reach and open the cockpit door as the aircraft was sharply descending and passengers were screaming.
According to a post shared by the X account, @IsraeliPM, “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a conversation with the Indian pilot from the flight from Dubai, Captain Smit Machchhar:
“You are a hero for Israel, India, and the entire world. I invite Prime Minister
@NarendraModi
and you to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day.” 🇮🇱🇮🇳
During the emotional conversation that took place this evening, the Prime Minister asked Captain Machchhar how it all started, and Machchhar revealed new details about the terrifying moments in the cockpit.”
What Happened To Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar?
Machchhar told Netanyahu that the incident began after the co-pilot requested time to pray. The Indian captain said he respected the request and looked towards the front of the cockpit.
After around four to five minutes, Machchhar said he suddenly felt a “big blow” to the back of his head.
At first, he believed there could have been catastrophic damage to the aircraft. However, as the strikes continued, he realised that the problem was not with the aircraft but with the co-pilot sitting inside the cockpit.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a conversation with the Indian pilot from the flight from Dubai, Captain Smit Machchhar:
“You are a hero for Israel, India, and the entire world. I invite Prime Minister @NarendraModi and you to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day.”… pic.twitter.com/e9nSJQ6TRj— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 3, 2026
‘The Blows Kept Coming’, Machchhar Recalls
Describing the attack to Netanyahu, Machchhar said the blows continued one after another.
The initial strikes severely affected his vision, leaving everything “completely blurred out”, according to his account. He said he tried to fight back and stop the co-pilot while simultaneously attempting to understand what was happening to the aircraft.
Machchhar also recalled feeling the aircraft going sharply down during the incident.
The pilot said his memory remains “in bits and pieces” because of the trauma and injuries he suffered during the attack.
Smit Machchhar Recalls Cockpit Door Struggle
Machchhar said he eventually managed to open the cockpit door but believed that the co-pilot closed it again.
He recalled being on the cockpit floor and hearing the aircraft, a whooshing sound and people screaming.
Despite his injuries, Machchhar said he knew he had to make another attempt to escape the cockpit.
“I had that one last fight left in me,” he recalled.
The pilot said he pushed himself towards the door and managed to open it again, after which he found people waiting outside.
UAE Investigators Call Attack A ‘Terrorist Act’
UAE investigators have described the co-pilot’s actions as an attempted “terrorist act”.
According to the UAE’s initial investigation findings, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar with the emergency axe kept inside the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the investigation was examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, although authorities have not publicly established a motive for the attack.
Why Was An Axe Inside The Flydubai Cockpit?
Emergency axes are carried aboard aircraft as safety equipment and can be used by crew members during certain emergencies, including situations involving fire or the need to gain access through parts of an aircraft.
In this case, UAE authorities said the emergency axe was allegedly used to attack the captain during the cockpit confrontation.
What Happened To The Flydubai Flight?
The Flydubai aircraft was travelling towards Israel when the cockpit incident occurred. Following the confrontation, the flight was diverted and eventually landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
The incident prompted an investigation by UAE authorities, with the co-pilot subsequently taken into custody.
Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack, including the suspect’s background and possible motive.
Netanyahu Speaks To Indian Pilot
Netanyahu spoke with Machchhar while the Indian pilot was undergoing treatment in the UAE.
During the conversation, the Israeli prime minister praised the pilot and invited Machchhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in Israel’s Independence Day ceremony by lighting a ceremonial flame.
The conversation also gave Machchhar an opportunity to recount the incident directly and describe the moments when he believed the aircraft and those aboard it were in serious danger.
Who Is Smit Machchhar?
Capt Smit Machchhar is an Indian pilot with flydubai who was serving as captain on the flight involved in the incident.
He suffered injuries during the cockpit attack and remains under medical treatment in the UAE. His account of the incident has provided important details about what happened inside the cockpit before the aircraft was brought to safety.
Flydubai Incident Investigation Continues
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing. UAE authorities have identified the cockpit attack as an attempted “terrorist act” and said the co-pilot tried to take control of the aircraft.
However, several details, including the alleged motive behind the attack and aspects of the suspect’s background reported by various media outlets, remain subject to investigation and should not be treated as independently established facts unless confirmed by authorities.
The account provided by Machchhar to Netanyahu offers a first-person description of the cockpit struggle, including the repeated blows, the loss of vision, the aircraft’s descent and his final attempt to open the cockpit door.
