India's PM Modi calls Flydubai pilot who helped avert plane crash
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Flydubai pilot Smit Macchar, who helped prevent a plane crash after an attack by the co-pilot. The aircraft lost more than four kilometers of altitude in 30 seconds.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi telephoned Flydubai captain Smit Macchar, who helped avert a plane crash after an attack occurred inside the cockpit.
Macchar recounted that after being attacked by the co-pilot, he was knocked to the floor and beaten, yet kept pushing himself to reach and open the cockpit door in order to save the passengers. He said the plane was rapidly losing altitude at the time. He eventually managed to open the door, allowing passengers to enter the cockpit and help bring the situation under control together.
Attacker from Oman
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker was a citizen of Oman who had undergone Islamist training. The plane lost more than four kilometers of altitude within 30 seconds, with more than 170 people on board.
The crash was averted after passengers broke into the cockpit and control was taken over by two other pilots who were on board as a relief crew.
The incident could prompt a review of security rules. Despite existing restrictions on pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel, the Omani citizen had managed to join the flight to Tel Aviv as a co-pilot.
