Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke on Motzei Shabbos with Captain Sumit Machhar, the Indian pilot who helped save the Israel-bound Flydubai flight after his co-pilot attacked him and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.

During the emotional conversation, Machhar gave Netanyahu a firsthand account of the terrifying moments inside the cockpit, describing how what began as an entirely routine flight suddenly turned into a fight for survival.

Machhar said the co-pilot asked to pray, something he said was not unusual. Out of respect, Machhar turned his attention forward. Approximately five minutes later, he was struck violently in the back of the head.

“At first, I thought there had been catastrophic damage to the aircraft,” Machhar recalled. But as the blows continued, he realized that he was being attacked by the co-pilot sitting beside him.

The captain suffered serious blows to his head, leaving his vision severely impaired. At the same time, he realized the aircraft was entering a steep dive.

Machhar said he initially attempted to open the cockpit door but believed the attacker managed to close it again. At one point, he found himself lying on the cockpit floor while hearing passengers screaming outside.

“I had one last fight left in me,” Machhar told Netanyahu. He said he understood that if he did not manage to act, everyone aboard the aircraft could die.

Summoning his remaining strength, Machhar reached the cockpit door and managed to turn the internal handle. As soon as the door opened, crew members and passengers who had been waiting outside rushed inside and helped overpower the attacker.

Machhar explained that while the cockpit door can be opened from outside using a code, the co-pilot prevented those outside from gaining entry. From inside, however, the door could be manually opened by turning a mechanism — which Machhar ultimately managed to reach despite his injuries.

Netanyahu praised Machhar for his actions, telling him that he was a hero “for Israel, India and the entire world,” and credited his composure and courage under extraordinary circumstances with saving dozens of lives.

Netanyahu also invited Machhar, together with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to come to Israel and light a torch at the upcoming Independence Day ceremony.

The Prime Minister wished Machhar a speedy recovery as he continues recuperating from the injuries sustained during the attack, telling him that Israelis look forward to welcoming him to the country.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)