‘I Had That One Last Fight Left In Me’: Pilot Recounts Terrifying Cockpit Attack

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has recalled the terrifying moments inside the cockpit of an Israel-bound flydubai flight, saying he found the strength for “one last fight” after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him and attempted to crash the aircraft.

Machchhar, who is being hailed as a hero for preventing the suspected crash attempt, shared details of the ordeal during a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday.

He said the flight had begun normally, with the co-pilot saying he wanted to pray. While the co-pilot was praying, Machchhar said he looked towards the front of the cockpit out of respect.

“Suddenly, after about four or five minutes, there was a big blow to the back of my head,” he recalled.

Initially, Machchhar thought the aircraft had suffered catastrophic damage. But as the blows continued, he realised that he was being attacked by the co-pilot.

The assault left his vision blurred, while he noticed the aircraft was sharply descending. He said he tried to open the cockpit door but the co-pilot managed to close it again.

Machchhar recalled lying on the cockpit floor as he heard the aircraft and passengers screaming. Despite his injuries, he decided he had to make another attempt.

“I had that one last fight left in me,” he said. “I thought that if I don't do it, I am going to die.”

Summoning all his strength, Machchhar reached the cockpit door and twisted its internal knob, managing to open it. Crew members outside then rushed in and took control of the aircraft.

He explained that the cockpit door could be opened from outside only with a security code, which the attacker was preventing colleagues from using.

Media reports have identified the co-pilot as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, who allegedly attacked Machchhar with a crash axe, an emergency tool kept in the cockpit.

Machchhar’s desperate final effort helped avert what could have been a major aviation tragedy.