The captain of FlyDubai flight FZ1073, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, has provided chilling details about the violent attack he endured in the cockpit at the hands of his co-pilot. In an interview from his hospital bed at the Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi, Captain Smit Machhar described how he had met his assistant for the first time on the morning of the flight and had no indication of any malicious intent or premeditated plans to hijack the aircraft.
Initial Shock
Machhar recounted the moment he was struck for the first time, initially believing that a piece of cockpit equipment had fallen on him. However, as the blows continued, it became alarmingly clear that the source was the individual he had assumed was part of his flight team. “The first time I was hit, I thought something serious had occurred with the aircraft structure, and a part of it had fallen on my head,” he explained. “In the few seconds that followed, as the hits kept coming, I realised that the other person—who I thought was meant to be on the team—was the one attacking me.”
Desperate Attempts to Defend
In a frantic attempt to protect himself, Machhar endeavoured to unfasten his seatbelt while trying to fend off the blows, which were targeting his head. He suffered significant injuries, including defensive wounds to his arms while he attempted to shield himself. “I tried to block the hits as best I could,” he said, noting that he began to lose his vision during those initial moments, seeing only faint outlines of objects.
A Fight for Survival
Machhar admitted he doesn’t recall the exact sequence of events, but he persevered through multiple attempts to open the cockpit door. He described losing blood and consciousness whenever he exerted himself physically: “My hand went directly to the handle that opens the door, and I was screaming for help from my colleagues. I think that was the first time I lost consciousness; I fell on my face inside the cockpit.”
He regained consciousness as the aircraft began a steep descent, with crew members and passengers banging on the door from the outside. The sound of the engines slowing down filled him with dread: “The engines went from operating at full power to a level you don’t want to hear at that point in the flight, and I felt the aircraft descending violently.” In that moment, he feared he would not survive.
Assistance from Fellow Passengers
Describing the mayhem that unfolded once he was extracted from the cockpit, Machhar spoke of how crew members and passengers managed to restrain the co-pilot. Two other FlyDubai pilots, who happened to be on board as passengers, took control of the aircraft. He characterised the moment others intervened to save him as “magical,” recounting how one passenger helped pull him from the cockpit, followed by the head of the cabin crew, who assisted in administering first aid.
A Moment of Reflection
Bleeding profusely from his head and left arm, Machhar prayed for his children while efforts were made to stop the bleeding. “I prayed a lot. I thought about my son and daughter, and I prayed,” he recalled. “That was the moment I can say I did not give up.” When asked whether he had surrendered, he replied firmly, “No, I can tell you 100% I did not give up. But was I sure I would survive? No.”
Normal Day Turned Chaotic
Reflecting on his interaction with the co-pilot prior to the attack, Machhar stated he observed no unusual behaviour. The morning of the flight had felt routine, and their discussions were limited, as pilots typically avoid lengthy conversations when flying in busy airspace. “There was nothing prior to that moment that made me think something was wrong,” he expressed, adding that had he noticed any signs of concern earlier, he would have taken action.
Looking Ahead
Though Machhar faces a lengthy recovery, he affirmed that the incident has not diminished his love for flying or his desire to return to the cockpit. “Has my love for flying died? Absolutely not, absolutely not,” he said, expressing satisfaction in having fulfilled his role during the crisis.