Stabbed Indian pilot recalls how he helped regain control of Flydubai flight

NEW DELHI: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who was reportedly stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, has publicly recounted how he managed to open the cockpit door despite suffering serious injuries, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and help regain control of the aircraft.

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