India
Machchhar opened cockpit door on flight with 174
The Indian Express··4 Oct
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar told Benjamin Netanyahu how he opened the Flydubai cockpit door after the September 30 attack. He said the Omani co-pilot struck him from behind after praying about 4-5 minutes. Flight FZ1073 carried 174 people from Dubai toward Tel Aviv. The Boeing 737 Max landed in Tabuk. Machchhar is in an Abu Dhabi hospital.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Machchhar said unlocking the door from inside was the only way for colleagues to enter.
- He said he recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the struggle and that it gave him courage.
- UAE, Saudi and Israeli authorities are investigating the attack and any planning links.
What's Happening
- Machchhar described the assault in a phone call with Netanyahu on Saturday night.
- He said he opened the cockpit door after lying on the floor as the aircraft sank.
- Passengers and crew then took control and the plane landed in Tabuk.
How the flight ended
- Flight FZ1073 carried 174 people, most of them Israelis, on September 30.
- The co-pilot has been identified in reporting as Hamam al-Hammami.
- Netanyahu invited Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Israel for Independence Day.
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