Netanyahu invites FlyDubai pilot to light Independence Day torch
Captain Smit Machchhar told Netanyahu how he forced open the cockpit door despite repeated blows from his co-pilot, allowing others to intervene
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited Captain Smit Machchhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a torch at Israel’s next Independence Day ceremony during a video call with the pilot, who helped save passengers after his co-pilot attacked him and sent their Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai plane into a dive.
“Captain, I want to invite you and my dear friend, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a celebratory flame on our next Independence Day,” Netanyahu told Machchhar.
Netanyahu said the honor was usually reserved for Israeli citizens, but that Israelis would embrace the captain’s participation.
“You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel, and you are a hero of the entire world,” he said.
During the conversation, Machchhar described how the co-pilot attacked him in the cockpit and how he managed to open the door despite his injuries, allowing those outside to intervene.
Machchhar said the co-pilot had wanted to pray. Out of respect, he looked toward the front of the cockpit rather than behind him. Several minutes later, he felt a powerful blow to the back of his head.
He initially thought the aircraft had suffered catastrophic damage, but realized he was being attacked as the blows continued.
“And that’s when I realized that it’s not the aircraft, it’s the other guy who was in the cockpit with me,” he said.
Machchhar said his vision was badly impaired and he felt the aircraft descending sharply. He managed to open the cockpit door once, but the attacker shut it again.
Lying on the cockpit floor, he heard a whooshing sound and people screaming.
“I had that one last fight left in me,” he said. “If I don’t do it, I’m going to die.”
Machchhar said he pushed himself toward the door, reached its handle and twisted it open. People waiting outside were then able to intervene.
Netanyahu praised the captain’s courage and “coolness of judgment under impossible conditions,” saying both the pilot and the passengers had helped avert disaster.
“You saved the day. You saved so many souls,” he said.
Netanyahu wished Machchhar a full recovery and reiterated the invitation before ending the call.
“We hope to see you very soon in Israel,” he said. “I think this will be a memorable and historic visit.”