HOW CAPT. SMIT & NEERJA BHANOT TACKLED COCKPIT HORROR ?

After Neerja Bhanot , the daring Air Hostess of a Pan Am flight, who saved lives of 350 passengers on September 5, 1986, we must salute with pride the heroics of Captain Smit Machchhar (S.M.), the Indian pilot of Fly Dubai, who saved lives of over 174 passengers by overcoming his errant fellow co-pilot Hamam al Hammami.

PAN AM FLIGHT NO.73

Forty years ago, a Pan Am flight from Bombay to New York via Karachi was hijacked by Abu Nidal group of terrorists before landing at Karachi. After alerting the pilots first, Neerja collected and concealed passports of passengers. She had sensed that terrorists were aiming to shoot American passengers. Tense moments continued for seventeen hours when bombs were hurled and senseless firing followed. Even then Neerja managed to open emergency doors which saved lives of large number of passengers. At the end, unfortunately, she succumbed to the injuries inflicted on her.

Her last words were :”I’d rather die than run away”.

Neerja was awarded Ashok Chakra, the highest peace time bravery medal.

FLY DUBAI FLIGHT FZ1073

A pilot of Oman nationality who attacked and injured SM is supposed to have possessed terrorism orientation. According to obtained inputs he had been barred from flying in Oman because of concerns about his extremist views.

CONTROL & SAFE LANDING

Hamam attempted to crash the aircraft after giving a big blow to back of head and stabbing the Indian pilot with a crash axe but passengers subdued him while additional crew resorted to an emergency landing at Prince S.B.A. airport in Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.

As both pilots had sustained injuries, they were immediately hospitalised.S.M.was air lifted to UAE after receiving emergency treatment. His health condition is being closely followed by the Indian Ambassador in UAE.

PRAISE FROM PRESIDENT, PM & OTHERS

President Murmu, PM Modi and Air Force Chief have praised SM for his incredible presence of mind in saving the passengers even after being seriously injured.Through a video call, PM praised SM for bringing glory to India and its flying community.

Mentioning that he had displayed remarkable presence of mind, the PM of Israel too stated that an Indian had saved us from a 9/11.In a video message to S.M., he called him a hero for Israel, India and entire world. He alongwith PM Modi have been invited to attend Israel’s Independence Day function.

SHOCKING MOMENT

When the plane, all of a sudden plunged from over 34,000 feet to 17,000 feet in just 20 to 30 seconds, one of the passengers thought that it was experiencing extreme turbulence but was later horrified to see the attack drama inside cockpit. Front sitting passengers, therefore, raced forward and took control of situation.

UNUSUAL COURAGE SAVED PLANE

It was discovered that S.M., after being wounded by a knife / crash axe lied on the floor but still had the energy to click open the Cockpit door. His flying experience of 9,750 hours over 17 years enabled him to have required patience and thus an attempt to crash the plane was thwarted.

The attacking pilot on the contrary was seen standing over the control panel trying to smash the same. When he tried to murder S.M., passengers rushed and reserve flight crew took control of plane and balanced it. Subsequently, aircraft was fully secured.

Passengers left for Israel abroad a replacement aircraft of Fly Dubai after a wait of eight hours on ground.

WHAT CAUSED THE EPISODE ?

What caused this sudden development may not be known immediately.

Those will be subject to a formal investigation. While praising the professionalism, moral courage and sense of responsibility of SM, UAE has considered the attack in cockpit a very serious terrorist incident.UAE has already shared details about the flight, passengers and crew with Israel.

VIEW OF PRESIDENT TRUMP

While speaking to SM, Israel PM considered him a HERO, President Trump has felt that there were links between the attack and Tehran but he did not elaborate. If Iranian agents were found behind it, U.S.would hit them hard, he added.

FLY DUBAI YET TO OPEN UP

Fly Dubai has not denied an altercation in the flight deck but underlying causes for the mishap remain unknown.

It has been gathered that passengers alongwith a member of crew broke into cockpit after plane had a tailspin and began to dive.They discovered that Omani co pilot was trying to sabotage the plane’s systems.He was arrested soon after landing.

Dubai-Tel Aviv flight FZ 1073 passengers mostly were Israeli nationals. FlyDubai operates daily flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv and this route is supposedly very popular among the Israelis even during current state of tension between Israel and Iran.

SAFETY ASPECTS

All over world flying is considered safest means to travel. Passenger safety is supposed to be paramount but it is not always the case.If DGCA officers in India are found taking bribe for giving air worthiness certificate to a private plane or if incidents as described happen, rise in anxiety levels of passengers and relatives would be natural.

AIR INDIA FLIGHT PHUKET- DELHI

In respect of the Air India flight AI 2379, Phuket-Delhi on August 4, 2026 there was sudden and violent altitude drop of 300 feet. It happened two and a half hours after take off, somewhere above Odisha.Twenty passengers and four crew members received injuries. Later, on being tested positive for Cannabis, the Commander was sacked. But mere sacking should not suffice, long imprisonment is called for.

In respect of Fly Dubai flight, rapid and sudden plunge of 20,000 feet was experienced. It is not only apt handling by the concerned pilots but also sheer luck which saved the plane from crashing.

Also Air India flight has rightly highlighted the issue of drug addiction by the pilots. It may be happening day in, day out.

SUMMING UP

It needs to be thoroughly investigated whether the Omani pilot performed a solo act or was he part of an active fundamentalist group. His activities during a stay in Australia and three month attachment in Morocco too need to be examined.

It is also felt that any flight going from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to an Israeli airport may also have to be suspended. Also it would be necessary to wait for formal Cease fire to the mega war in Middle East that began on February 28.

Both airlines and passengers departing India are also suffering huge losses and losing valuable time due to current restrictions on use of air space.

(The author is former Chief Secretary, Sikkim. Views are strictly personal)