Kochi: Flydubai Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchha, who was attacked by his co-pilot of Oman in the Dubai-Tel Aviv aircraft in an alleged bid to take control of the aircraft, said he opened the cockpit to save 182 passengers on Wednesday.
Smit Machchhar said as he was lying on the ground injured and was still being attacked when he realised the plane was down 17,000 feet forcing him to push the door open from inside, he said in a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, media reports said.
Passengers and crew came and overpowered the attacker and retook control of the aircraft which was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar, who has also been hailed as a “true hero” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was taken to hospital before being airlifted to Abu Dhabi for specialised treatment.
Smit said he had been flying planes for 17 years and “can tell what is happening to the plane even with my eyes closed”.
Modi told the captain that the whole country was proud of him.
The accused pilot has been handed over by Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates.
Investigation to examine whether the incident was a deliberate attempt to bring down the Israel-bound plane is under way.
The Boeing 737 Max 8 carried mostly Israelis.
Israeli intelligence and security officials are also in Saudi Arabia assisting the investigation, while Israel has requested that the co-pilot be sent to Israel for questioning.
The UAE has jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered there and its laws apply to crimes committed on board.
Indian captain becomes global hero
