CAPTAIN SMIT Machchhar's most critical actions involved fighting back against the attacking co-pilot despite multiple stab wounds, unlocking sealed cockpit door while raising alarm. Courage and presence of mind displayed by few passengers and stroke of sheer luck - presence of relief pilots on board - followed Machchhar's heroics in landing aircraft safely at Tabuk.
Sukalp Sharma and Anil Sasi piece together chain: After co-pilot Omani national stabbed pilot, Machchhar managed to click open release of locked door. Doors are heavily reinforced and locked from inside to prevent unauthorised entry - norm after September 11, 2001 attacks in US. Without this action, no one on board could have come to rescue.
Read more - Cockpit Terror, Indian Hero
Then, passengers. Israeli Yaniv Hayun, passenger on flight, said he pulled assailant out and stabilised plane. Asked how he knew what to do, he said "I watch Air Crash Investigation, Mr Prime Minister" told to Netanyahu at Ben Gurion.
The co-pilot was restrained by some passengers and crew who tied his hands with whatever they could - including headphone cables. Meanwhile, one passenger, dentist, tended to badly injured Machchhar. One pilot's claim he briefly took hold of aircraft's controls while nose pointed down. Hayun had never flown plane before but had watched popular TV series.
It was stroke of sheer luck that two flydubai pilots were on board as off-duty relief flight crew - pilots who travelled as passengers because they scheduled to operate subsequent flight. The aircraft successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling, who diverted and landed aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport. All 174 passengers safe.
Read more - Freezing The Future
For India, hero pilot narrative boosts aviation pride, but also questions insider radicalisation screening.
Tags: #FlyDubai #SmitMachchhar #AirCrashInvestigation #AviationHero #BenGurion #Tabuk #PilotSafety #AviationSecurity #Israel #IndianPilot