Tel Aviv: Passengers aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv have recalled the terrifying moments when a violent confrontation erupted inside the cockpit, leaving Indian Captain Smit Machchhar injured and forcing the aircraft into a rapid descent.
According to passenger accounts, the situation began when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Machchhar and attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s controls. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 reportedly plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, triggering emergency alerts and panic among those on board.
Passengers said Machchhar, despite being seriously injured, managed to open the cockpit door before collapsing. This allowed passengers to enter the flight deck and confront the attacker. One passenger, Yaniv Hayun, said he put the alleged attacker in a chokehold and pulled him away from the controls, while others helped restrain him.
Another passenger, Zvika Meness, recalled that three passengers worked together to secure the attacker. He said they used the attacker’s zip ties and multimedia headphone cables to restrain him and prevent him from returning to the cockpit.
Meanwhile, an onboard dentist treated the injured Captain Machchhar, who had suffered significant blood loss. Two off-duty pilots who were travelling as passengers subsequently helped take control of the aircraft. The flight was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. All 174 passengers survived the incident.
The incident has since drawn international attention, with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praising Machchhar and the passengers for their actions during the emergency. The motive behind the alleged cockpit attack remains under investigation.
