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Watch: Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar recalls ordeal in emotional call with India PM Modi
Recalling the ordeal, the flydubai pilot said 'I was fighting for my life; I had so many injuries, but I told myself I have to get up and act'
- PUBLISHED: Fri 2 Oct 2026, 10:36 AM UPDATED: Fri 2 Oct 2026, 1:08 PM
Injured flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar recalled how he was "fighting for his life" on the September 30 Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, sharing details of his ordeal in an emotional call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On flydubai flight FZ1073, Machchhar emerged as a central figure, being hailed as a "hero" for helping save the lives of over a hundred passengers. In his first public comments since the flydubai altercation, the pilot told Modi how he opened the cockpit door despite sustaining wounds. While lying on the floor, Machchhar said he was concerned about his own life, but also knew he "couldn't let everyone die."
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Watch the video of his conversation with the Indian Prime Minister here:
Speaking from his hospital bed, bandaged and tearful, Machchhar apologised to Modi for his emotional state. "Sorry, I am crying in front of you". The Indian Prime Minister replied: "Where else can you be emotional, if not in front of me?"
Both Modi and Machchhar praised the medical attention he is receiving. The Indian Prime Minister also thanked the UAE and Saudi authorities for caring for the Indian pilot, and said the whole of India was standing with Machchhar.
Earlier, India's ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal visited Machchhar and his family at the hospital. Mittal added that the Indian missions are in touch with local UAE authorities who have assured their full support. Investigations are ongoing into the incident.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier hailed Machchhar "for his extraordinary bravery", praising him for fighting back despite being wounded and "preventing a catastrophic mid-air disaster".
Flydubai altercation on September 30
The UAE is formally investigating what happened aboard the flydubai FZ1073 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Crucially, the investigation will also verify whether the incident “was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose or involved prior planning or direction”.
On September 30, FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport issued a statement, mentioning that both the captain and co-pilot had sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Flydubai later said that an “altercation occurred in the flight deck” of FZ1073, and confirmed that all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for.
Later that day, Flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel until further notice; Emirates also suspended its codeshare operations with flydubai to and from Tel Aviv had been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice.
Poojaraj Maniyeri is a Digital Journalist who loves turning everyday conversations into news stories. She is also a typical bookworm, and brings a novel with her everywhere she goes.