Captain Smith Machhar, the flydubai pilot injured during an altercation in the cockpit of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, has spoken for the first time about how he fought to regain control of the aircraft despite being severely wounded.

During a 10-minute video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Machhar said that while fighting for his life, he realised the aircraft was losing altitude and that he had to act.

“At that moment, I was fighting for my life. I had fallen to the floor... I was so badly injured that I collapsed... At that point, I was thinking, what will happen if I cannot get up?” he told Modi.

Machhar said his 17 years of experience in aviation enabled him to understand the aircraft’s condition even while he was lying on the cockpit floor.

“I have been a pilot for 17 years and a captain for 11 years. Even without looking, I can instinctively understand the aircraft’s condition. While I was on the floor, I could feel the plane descending,” he explained.

“I was doing it to save my own life, but at the same time, I knew I could not allow everyone else to lose theirs,” he added.

“One last effort, Smith”

Machhar said he realised at that moment that unless he acted, the lives of everyone on board could be at risk.

“At that moment, I told myself: One last effort, Smith! Just do it. The door is right there,” he told Modi.

“Even then, he was still hitting me,” he added.

Machhar said he eventually managed to open the cockpit door.

“Then I just opened the door... and everyone came in,” he said, referring to the passengers and crew members who entered the cockpit and restrained the attacker.

“I was doing it to save my own life, but at the same time, I knew I could not allow everyone else to lose theirs,” Machhar continued.

He also stressed that others played an equally important role in bringing the situation under control, saying: “Everyone else played just as significant a part.”

What happened on flydubai flight FZ1073?

The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members.

According to reports, an altercation broke out in the cockpit during the flight. Flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft first transmitted the emergency code 7700, followed seven minutes later by code 7500, which is used in aviation transponder systems to indicate “unlawful interference”.

Flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft then descended by more than 14,000 feet in about 29 seconds.

Media reports said the captain was injured during the altercation and subsequently opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and help restrain the attacker.

Two off-duty flydubai pilots who were travelling as passengers also stepped in to take control of the aircraft and helped it land safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

flydubai described the incident as an “altercation” in the cockpit and urged all parties to avoid premature speculation until the relevant authorities complete their investigations.

“The aircraft was brought under control with the assistance of flydubai crew members travelling on the flight and, after being diverted, landed safely at Tabuk airport. All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for,” the airline said.

“At this early stage, the underlying causes and motives behind the incident remain unclear, and the matter is still under official investigation. We urge all parties to avoid premature speculation while the relevant authorities gather information and establish the facts,” flydubai added.

“I know God saved me”

Machhar told Modi that whenever he feels afraid or is in pain, he recites the Hindu devotional hymn Hanuman Chalisa.

“Whenever I feel pain, I recite the Hanuman Chalisa. I was reciting it at that moment as well, and I know God saved me,” he said.

He added that he also recites the prayer every morning for his two-year-old son.

Modi praises pilot’s courage

During the call, Narendra Modi praised Machhar for continuing his efforts to bring the situation under control despite his severe injuries.

“Your courage, patience and presence of mind saved many lives,” Modi told him.

“Had this not happened, it is unclear what situation India would have faced, what Indian pilots might have had to endure and how they would have been perceived. You saved everyone. You did something truly remarkable,” he added.

“You suffered such serious injuries and were fighting for your life, yet even in those circumstances, you did not think about yourself and remained concerned about the lives of all the passengers,” Modi said.

The Indian prime minister described Machhar’s actions as “remarkable and historic”, adding: “Today, all your fellow citizens and people around the world are eager to see you and speak with you.”

International officials praise Machhar

Machhar’s actions have drawn praise from several political leaders and officials in India, Israel and the United States.

US President Donald Trump described the Indian captain as a “hero” and praised his decision to open the cockpit door despite his serious injuries.

“The pilot was in very bad shape, but in one sense he was a hero because he opened the door,” Trump said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machhar, saying: “I pay tribute to Captain Smith Machhar, the Indian pilot, for his extraordinary bravery.”

Netanyahu said the captain’s actions helped avert a catastrophic incident in the air.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu also praised Machhar’s “extraordinary presence of mind” and “indomitable spirit”.

Vinay Mohan Kwatra, India’s ambassador to the United States, said Machhar and those who intervened to bring the situation under control had “turned an unimaginable tragedy into a safe landing”.

The Indian Embassy in Israel also commended his “remarkable courage, composure and commitment to duty”. Reuven Azar, Israel’s ambassador to India, praised Machhar, the passengers and the crew members who stepped in to contain the situation.

Pilot continues recovery in the UAE

Following the emergency landing, Machhar initially received treatment in Tabuk before returning to the UAE for further medical care.

Deepak Mittal, India’s ambassador to the UAE, visited Machhar and his family in hospital and said the pilot’s condition was improving.

“He was speaking freely, smiling and laughing, which was very reassuring for us and, above all, for his family,” Mittal said.

The Indian Embassy and Consulate said they remain in contact with UAE authorities regarding Machhar’s treatment and recovery.

Investigation into incident continues

Investigations into the cockpit incident are continuing in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The UAE has launched a judicial investigation into the incident, while the General Civil Aviation Authority is examining its operational and security aspects.

Saudi Arabia said in its preliminary findings that the co-pilot attacked the captain and that both pilots were injured during the altercation. The initial findings did not identify a motive for the confrontation.

flydubai has again urged all parties to avoid premature speculation while the relevant authorities fully investigate the circumstances and causes of the cockpit altercation.