Tearful Flydubai pilot tells Modi: ‘I knew I could not let them all die’
Indian pilot Captain Smit became emotional during a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi on Friday, recounting his efforts to save a Flydubai flight after an altercation in the cockpit.
“The whole country is praying for you,” Modi told Smit, who apologised for crying. Modi responded: “Smit, if you are not emotional in front of me, then where will you be?”
Smit said he had suffered multiple injuries and collapsed before realising the aircraft was going down. He said he forced himself back up and opened the cockpit door, allowing others to intervene. “I knew that I could not let them all die,” he said.
Flydubai confirmed an “altercation” aboard Flight FZ1073, which made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The airline said crew members travelling on the flight secured the aircraft and landed it safely, with all passengers and crew accounted for. Around 170 people, mostly Israelis, were reportedly aboard.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot had stabbed the pilot and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft. He credited Smit with resisting and opening the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the alleged attacker.
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Dentist Dr Shota Musayev was also praised for providing first aid to the injured captain, while US President Donald Trump highlighted the reported role of Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun in helping restrain the alleged attacker and take control of the aircraft. Flydubai has urged against speculation while authorities investigate the incident.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
