Flydubai Captain Recalls Attack on Netanyahu During Critical Flight Incident (Includes Conversation)
October 5, Kathmandu – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Flydubai Captain Smith Machhar to participate in a special event commemorating the upcoming Israeli Independence Day.
Prime Minister Netanyahu extended the invitation to Captain Machhar during a telephone conversation, asking him to light the celebratory flame on Independence Day.
Netanyahu noted that such an honor is typically reserved for Israeli citizens, but extended the invitation to Machhar in recognition of his bravery and the critical role he played in saving the lives of passengers aboard the aircraft.
“I wish to invite you and my dear friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light the celebratory flame on our upcoming Independence Day. You are a true hero to the brave people of India and Israel, and a hero to the entire world,” Netanyahu said.
He also invited Captain Machhar along with his wife and children to visit Israel.
Smith Machhar, an Indian pilot flying Flydubai’s aircraft from Dubai, UAE, to Tel Aviv, Israel, faced a violent attack from co-pilot Hamam Al Hamami of Oman using an emergency tool known as a ‘crash axe.’ Despite the violent incident, the injured pilot managed to divert the plane towards Saudi Arabia and execute a safe landing.
Flight FZ-1073, operating a Boeing 737 Max 8, carried 174 passengers whose lives were saved due to Captain Machhar’s heroic actions, earning him worldwide acclaim.
During the phone call, Netanyahu wished Captain Machhar a full recovery from his injuries.
Captain Machhar recounted to Netanyahu how the co-pilot attacked him from behind during the flight, after which he opened the cockpit door and enabled other crew members to take control of the plane.
This conversation was uploaded to the official Facebook page of the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. Below is an edited excerpt of their dialogue:
Smith: How are you?
Netanyahu: I’m fine, but how are you feeling?
Smith: I am gradually recovering. Getting better.
Netanyahu: Captain, I want to invite you and my dear friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light the celebratory flame at our upcoming Independence Day. You are a true hero to the brave people of India and Israel, and a hero to the whole world. I wish you a speedy and full recovery.
Can you tell me how the incident began?
Smith: It was a routine flight. The co-pilot said he wanted to pray. Many locals pray, so that was not unusual. While he prayed, I was looking forward and not behind.
Suddenly, about four or five minutes later, I felt a strong blow to the back of my head. My first thought was that something serious and destructive had happened to the plane. Then, more blows followed one after another.
That’s when I realized the problem wasn’t with the plane, but with the other person in the cockpit with me.
I tried to stop him, but due to the earlier strikes, my vision was nearly lost, and everything was blurry. At that moment, I sensed the plane sharply descending.
My memory is fragmented, but I recall trying once to open the cockpit door, though I think he closed it again. I remember falling to the cockpit floor.
I heard the noise of the plane, the strong wind, and people screaming.
I still had some strength left for one last effort. Whether for personal reasons or the people on board, I thought—if I do nothing now, I will die.
Then I gathered all my strength, went to the door, and opened it.
Fortunately, the people outside were ready and waiting to take control of the plane. What happened next, you know very well, sir.
Netanyahu: I am truly amazed at your courage and composure to make decisions under such unimaginable circumstances.
But tell me—how did you pull the pin to open the cockpit door?
Smith: Actually, the door opens by turning from the inside. From the outside, it can only be unlocked using a code. My colleagues outside were trying to enter the code, but the attacker wouldn’t allow it.
So the only way to open the door was to reach it and turn the knob as if rotating a regular door knob, which would cause it to open. There was no pin. The key was to reach the knob. When my hand touched it, I think I turned it and opened the door.
Netanyahu: What you describe reflects both a twist of fate and an act of faith. What you did is extraordinary.
I have heard from Israeli passengers what happened afterward. You are a great hero, and the people with you are heroes as well. Together you saved many lives that day.
I believe you also saved something even greater—the spirit of trust and courage.
This incident showed the world that fearless pilots and passengers can overcome even the most dangerous and violent threats.
You have been rightfully honored as a hero worldwide. You are a hero of Israel, India, and the entire world. The people here will welcome you with open hearts.
You and your team saved many lives. Please also convey my and my wife’s warm regards to your wife. I am aware you have a family.
Smith: Thank you.
Netanyahu: You are now part of our nations’ family, a courageous member of that family. Please recover fully as soon as possible.
Smith: I will recover, sir. Definitely will recover.
Netanyahu: Again, I want to say that Captain Smith and Prime Minister Modi are great friends. I sincerely hope they will light the celebratory flame on our Independence Day.
This is one of the highest honors given on our Independence Day, usually reserved only for Israeli citizens.
But I believe all Israeli citizens will embrace you. They consider you a hero now and will continue to do so. We look forward to seeing you in Israel very soon.
Smith: I am eager to meet you too, sir. Although under these circumstances, this visit will certainly be a memorable and historic one.
Netanyahu: Thank you, sir, for everything you have done.
Smith: Thank you very much, sir. It is an honor to speak with you.
Netanyahu: Thank you.