Injured Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit stabbing during flight ordeal

An Indian pilot who was stabbed by his co-pilot during an alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai passenger flight has described how he fought through his injuries to open the cockpit door and allow passengers and crew to intervene.

Captain Smit Machchhar, speaking from a hospital bed in Abu Dhabi during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, said he realised the aircraft was descending rapidly while he was lying injured on the cockpit floor.

Machchhar said he had suffered multiple injuries and had collapsed, but understood that the aircraft was in serious danger.

"I had suffered so many injuries that I had collapsed. At that time, I could feel that the aircraft was going down," he said during the nearly 10-minute conversation.

The pilot said he knew he had to reach the cockpit door despite continuing to be attacked.

"I was being hit even then, but I just opened the door and everyone came in," he said.

Machchhar has 17 years of aviation experience, including 11 years as a captain. He said that experience helped him understand the developing emergency and respond despite being seriously wounded.

Once the cockpit door was opened, passengers and crew were able to confront and overpower the co-pilot. A second pair of Flydubai pilots then entered the cockpit and took control of the aircraft.

The plane, which was carrying 174 people, had briefly plunged about 17,000 feet (5,180 metres) before control was regained. It was subsequently landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

During his conversation with Modi, Machchhar also spoke emotionally about the role of his faith during the ordeal, saying he had recited a Hindu devotional prayer.

"I know God himself saved me," he told the prime minister.

Modi praised the pilot for his courage and presence of mind, saying his actions had helped save lives and reflected positively on Indian pilots.

The incident has prompted allegations of terrorism and raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the co-pilot's actions.

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash described the incident as a "terrorist act", while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot appeared to have undergone what he described as "Islamist radical indoctrination" and appeared to be suicidal.

US President Donald Trump has also warned that Iran could face serious consequences if investigators establish a connection between Tehran and the incident.

The United Arab Emirates has announced an investigation into the incident, including whether there was any possible terrorist link.

The investigation is expected to examine the co-pilot's motives, the events inside the cockpit and how the aircraft was brought back under control after the dramatic descent.