'It breaks you': Friend of stabbed pilot speaks out

When Smit Machcharr was training to become a pilot, his friends called him "Smit Mac".

Captain Dhaval Patel trained alongside him in New Zealand, and they have known each other for "close to two decades".

"I vividly remember him helping colleagues and peers, educating them on the concepts of aviation with so much clarity and knowledge," Mr Patel said.

"And I had the privilege of getting my fourth stripe on becoming a captain by his hand." 

So when footage emerged this week of Mr Machchhar after he was attacked while flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, his friend could barely believe it.

"I saw the first glimpse, and I was just not ready to believe it was Captain Smit," Mr Patel told the ABC.

"It just was shattering to be listening and looking at the visuals.

"When it happens to the person you know, the person you love, it breaks you."

Mr Machchhar was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot, who "apparently tried to crash the plane", according to Israel's prime minister.

Now, as Mr Machchhar recovers in hospital, he is being hailed as a hero by his friends, his country, India, and people around the world.

Pilot takes a call from PM

According to a statement published on X by the Saudi Arabia embassy to the US,  preliminary investigations indicate "the first officer had assaulted the aircraft captain, resulting in both sustaining various injuries".

After the incident, Mr Machchhar was moved to Abu Dhabi for further treatment and was "recovering well," according to India's embassy in the United Arab Emirates.

His family flew from India to be by his side and is currently with him.

In a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Machchhar said he had been "fighting for my life" on the plane.

"I have been flying for 17 years. I have been captain for 11 years. I know what is happening in flight even with my eyes closed," he said.

"When I was on the floor, I could sense that the aircraft was going down, and then I told myself, 'Smit, give a last push. Door is there.' I was getting stabbed at that point as well, but I opened the door, and others came inside.

"Everyone had [a] role in it. I was trying to save my life but [at the] same time I was also thinking I could not let [passengers] die.

"Afterwards, everyone supported me. I got the best medical attention here in Saudi."

Mr Modi told Mr Machchhar he had done "such a tremendous job that not just us Indians but people worldwide want to speak and meet you".

'Entire clan' full of pride

Mr Patel was glad to see his friend "recovering steadily, out of any danger and in good health".

"That was the first sight of relief, seeing he's actually recovering and responding well to all the medical treatments," he said.

He was also happy to see his friend honoured by Mr Modi and "leaders around the world".

"It's pride for our entire clan to see one of our colleagues being respected by our honorary prime minister," he said.