BS BULLETIN:

• FlyDubai Capt. Smit Machchhar says he was badly wounded when his copilot allegedly attacked him aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
• As the aircraft plunged roughly 14,000 feet, Machchhar says he summoned enough strength to open the cockpit door.
• Passengers subdued the copilot and another pilot helped regain control before the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

The captain credited with helping save a FlyDubai jet from disaster is now describing what happened inside the cockpit as the aircraft plunged thousands of feet toward the ground.

Capt. Smit Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a hospital video call that he was fighting for his life after his copilot allegedly attacked and stabbed him aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 on Sept. 30.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people aboard. Machchhar said that even while badly wounded, he could feel the aircraft descending rapidly. He knew he had to get help into the cockpit.

“I couldn’t let everyone else die,” Machchhar said in recounting his determination to keep fighting.

According to multiple reports, Machchhar managed to open the reinforced cockpit door despite his injuries. That changed everything.

Passengers rushed forward and helped overpower the copilot while another qualified pilot aboard the aircraft assisted in stabilizing the jet.

Flight data showed the plane dropping from roughly 34,000 feet to about 16,600 feet during one terrifying stretch of the ordeal. The flight also transmitted emergency signals associated first with a general emergency and later with unlawful interference or hijacking.

The aircraft was ultimately diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Machchhar suffered serious injuries and was later transferred for treatment. His condition has been described as stable, and video released Friday showed him awake and speaking with Modi.

The suspected copilot is in custody as authorities investigate why the attack occurred.

Israeli officials have publicly described the incident as terrorism and said the copilot appeared to have been radicalized. UAE and Saudi authorities, however, have said the motive remains under investigation, and no final official determination has been announced.

Modi praised Machchhar’s actions, while Israeli officials have also credited several passengers who helped restrain the attacker.

DBS WIRE SOURCES

• Fox News — Hero FlyDubai pilot recounts fight for his life as plane plunged
• Associated Press — Inside FlyDubai’s cockpit ordeal and dramatic descent
• The National — “I couldn’t let others die”: Captain recounts attack
• The Guardian — Passengers and wounded captain helped save FlyDubai flight
• The National — UAE investigation examines possible terrorism connection