The heroic Flydubai captain credited with helping save approximately 180 passengers, most of them Israelis, has spoken publicly for the first time from his hospital bed, recounting the terrifying moments inside the cockpit as the aircraft plunged toward catastrophe.

Captain Smith Machachar, an Indian national who was critically wounded after being stabbed by the Omani copilot during the attempted hijacking, spoke by video with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his transfer for continued medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates.

Machachar had previously undergone emergency surgery in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after suffering multiple stab wounds during the attack.

Despite his severe injuries, the veteran pilot said he realized that remaining on the floor of the cockpit could mean the deaths of everyone aboard.

“I had so many injuries, but I told myself I had to get up and act,” Machachar recalled. “At that moment I pushed myself to open the cockpit door.”

The captain became emotional as he described the extraordinary battle for survival.

“You are my biggest idol, and when you called and asked how I was doing I felt immense pride,” Machachar told Modi.

“I was fighting for my life. I fell, I was seriously injured and I was down, but then I realized that if I didn’t do something everything would be lost. I have been flying planes for more than 17 years, I can know with my eyes closed what is happening on the plane. When I was lying on the floor I felt the plane tilting downward. I knew for certain that the exit door was right there, and even though I had taken blows and injuries I simply opened it. I knew I couldn’t let everyone die.”

Opening the cockpit door allowed passengers to enter and overpower the attacker, preventing what officials believe could have become a catastrophic mass-casualty incident.

Modi praised Machachar for making split-second decisions while gravely wounded and putting the lives of his passengers ahead of his own.

“You made decisions in a fraction of a second and saved the lives of so many people,” Modi said. “When you yourself were fighting between life and death, you did not worry about your own life but about the lives of all the passengers.”

“Today the entire country can proudly say that we Indians are not people who take lives, but people who save lives. You have raised the pride of 1.4 billion citizens of the country.”

The Indian leader told the captain that prayers were being held across India for his recovery and praised his family for their strength during the ordeal.

The government of Gujarat has also announced that Machachar will receive an official honor recognizing his extraordinary bravery.

Modi additionally thanked Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for the medical treatment provided to the wounded captain, telling him at the conclusion of their conversation, “Smith, whenever you need anything, I am one phone call away.”

The dramatic testimony provides new details about the crucial moments aboard the Flydubai flight, when the Omani copilot allegedly stabbed Machachar and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.

Israeli passengers ultimately stormed the cockpit, subdued and restrained the attacker, and assisted in bringing the horrifying incident under control before the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Israeli authorities are meanwhile continuing efforts to participate in the investigation. After Saudi Arabia reportedly rejected an Israeli request to send observers, officials are hoping Israel’s close relationship with the UAE will allow Israeli representatives to participate in the investigation there.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)