I wasn't going to let others die, says Flydubai captain who was attacked by co-pilot
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The Indian captain of the Flydubai plane who was attacked by his co-pilot has said he fought for his life but was determined not to let others die.
Speaking to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Smit Machchhar said he was on the ground in the cockpit and still being attacked when he realised the plane was sinking and he had to do something.
"I was lying on the floor injured but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside," he said.
"Others came in and also played a role [in controlling the situation]. I was of course fighting for my own life but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die," he added.
The plane bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai plunged more than 17,000ft (5,200m) two and a half hours into its journey on Wednesday, before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and retook control to land safely.
It was forced to divert to Tabuk, a city in north-western Saudi Arabia.
The captain, who has also been hailed as a "true hero" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was taken to hospital before being airlifted to Abu Dhabi where he is reported to be in a stable condition.
Machchhar said he had been flying planes for 17 years. "I can tell what is happening to the plane even with my eyes closed."
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