Flydubai pilot describes struggle to open cockpit door during attack

Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar told The National he tried to open the cockpit door and call for help as a colleague attacked him on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight. The interview was reported on October 17.

The attack occurred on September 30 and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. UAE prosecutors have accused the copilot of an attempted terrorist attack.

Machchhar said his colleague's behaviour had not aroused suspicion beforehand. He initially thought the first blow was caused by a technical problem before realising a crew member was attacking him.

He said he shielded his head with his hands and repeatedly lost consciousness. After trying to open the door, his next memory was of lying on the cockpit floor.