Flydubai flight mid-air attack: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar recovering well, dramatic video surfaces

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New Delhi: Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured in a mid-air incident on a Flydubai Flight, is doing well, says Indian ambassador to the UAE Dr. Deepak Mittal.

The captain was injured on Wednesday when Flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, faced a serious emergency. The flight was later diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Mittal said that he had met Machchhar and his family in the UAE and was told the pilot was in high spirit.

He said that Machchhar was talking normally, smiling and is under adequate medical care. The Indian Embassy is also in regular touch with the UAE authorities on his recovery.

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Meanwhile, video from inside the aircraft has emerged and shows frantic footage of what happened after passengers and crew members came to the rescue in the attack on the cockpit.

The co-pilot is said to have attacked CM Machchhar and tried to hijack the plane. Despite sustaining injuries, Machchhar opened the cockpit door and let passengers in. They helped foil the attack and captured the attacker. A reserve Flydubai staff member who was on board managed to take over the aircraft and land it in Tabuk safely.

The video shows the damaged pilots on the floor of the plane while passengers grab the controls and try to call for assistance.

Full details of the incident and the reason for the crash are still being investigated, with Flydubai warning against speculation.

Also read: Nation Very Proud Of Smit Machchhar For Saving Lives: Civil Aviation Secy

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