An Indian flydubai captain, Smit Machchhar, says he acted quickly to prevent a disaster after an alleged attack by his co-pilot sent their aircraft into a steep descent.
Machchhar, who was injured during the confrontation, said he forced himself to open the cockpit door despite his condition, allowing passengers and other crew members to come to his aid.
Speaking from his hospital bed during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, Machchhar said he knew he had to act to save the lives of those on board.
“I was trying to save my own life, but I knew I could not let all those people die,” he said.
The Boeing 737, operated by Dubai-based flydubai, was carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred on Wednesday.
Machchhar, who has 17 years of aviation experience, including 11 as a captain, said he had collapsed in the cockpit after sustaining serious injuries.
He said he could feel the aircraft descending while he lay injured and realised he needed to open the cockpit door to get help.
“I was being hit even then, but I just opened the door and everyone came in,” he said.
Passengers and other crew members reportedly rushed into the cockpit after the aircraft lost about 17,000 feet in roughly a minute, according to flight tracking data cited in reports.
The aircraft eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar received medical treatment.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, with the co-pilot accused of attacking Machchhar and triggering a struggle in the cockpit.
The captain said his years of aviation experience helped him understand what was happening despite his injuries.
He also revealed that he recited a Hindu devotional prayer dedicated to Hanuman during the ordeal, saying, “I know God himself saved me.”
Modi praised Machchhar’s actions, saying they helped avert a major tragedy and expressing pride in his response during the emergency.
Machchhar became emotional during the conversation, saying he felt proud of himself for the first time since the incident.
Despite his injuries, he expressed confidence that he would recover, although he expected the process to take time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier credited the captain and passengers with helping prevent a catastrophe.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to establish what happened inside the cockpit and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.
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