look news india
The cockpit is considered to be the safest and most sensitive place in the unexpected incidents that happen inside the plane during air travel, where the lives of hundreds of passengers are in the hands of two pilots. But what happens when the cockpit door is closed from inside and the co-pilot sitting on the adjacent seat makes a fatal attack on his captain? Flydubai’s former senior captain Smit Machhar, in a podcast interview, has revealed such a horrifying and heart-wrenching incident that happened in the air at an altitude of 35,000 feet, which has left the aviation world as well as the common people stunned.
Recalling that fateful day, Captain Smit Machar said that they were on a routine international flight and the aircraft was flying at cruising altitude on full autopilot mode. At the same time, the co-pilot present with him said that he wanted to offer Namaz.
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Sudden Attack: The captain gave him permission and he started monitoring the instruments and flight path in front of him. The co-pilot went into the empty space behind the cockpit.
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Head torn by blow: Captain Machar had no idea what was going to happen next. Suddenly, from behind, the co-pilot gave a fatal blow to the back of the captain’s head with a heavy metal thermos (thermal flask).
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Darkness started falling: Due to this sudden and unexpected and fierce blow, the Captain’s head got cracked and blood started flowing rapidly. Darkness started appearing before his eyes, but the Captain did not lose his sanity and courage.
According to Captain Smit Machar, the attack was not merely the result of personal rivalry or anger, but the co-pilot was in a mental state and it seemed as if he wanted to take control of the aircraft by rendering the captain completely unconscious.
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Solo Competition: Despite being drenched in blood, the captain got up from his seat and confronted the attacker co-pilot. A scuffle broke out between the two inside the cramped cockpit.
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Emergency Alarm: Using all his physical strength, the captain somehow pressed the emergency alarm button of the cockpit door and gave a danger signal to the cabin crew through the intercom.
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Quick Entry of Cabin Crew: As soon as the alarm was raised, the alert crew members immediately entered the cockpit by entering the secure code and, while helping the Captain, overpowered the frantic co-pilot.
The co-pilot was tied with ropes and plastic ties (plastic cuffs) with the help of the cabin crew and made to sit in a safe part of the passenger cabin.
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Amidst the continuous bleeding from the head and severe pain, Captain Smit Machar displayed extraordinary professional patience, courage and mental balance.
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He immediately informed Air Traffic Control (ATC) about the emergency situation and diverted the aircraft to the nearest safe airport.
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The Captain, with a bloodied face, single-handedly took over the operation of the entire aircraft and made a successful emergency landing of the flight, saving the lives of all the passengers.
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As soon as it landed on the runway, security agencies and local police surrounded the plane from all sides and immediately took the accused co-pilot into custody.
This incident of Captain Smit Machar has once again raised many sharp questions before the aviation safety regulators, ICAO and airlines around the world regarding the psychological evaluation of pilots.
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Earlier, in tragic incidents like Germanwings Flight 9525, cases of mentally ill co-pilot deliberately crashing the plane have come to light.
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Experts say not just physical fitness and simulator tests, but regular and impartial psychological review of pilots’ stress levels, radical inclinations and mental stability should be made mandatory.
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Captain Smit Machar is being highly appreciated on social media for his indomitable courage and miraculously saving hundreds of lives.