Indian pilot recalls moments of cockpit attack on flight to Israel

The Indian captain that thwarted an attempt to crash a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv is being hailed as a hero, with world leaders saying his actions helped prevent a potential catastrophic midair disaster.

He details how he fought for his life in the minutes after the cockpit stabbing during a video call with the prime minister of India.

In the wake of Wednesday's incident, more accounts of heroism are coming to light.

Wounded Capt. Smit Machchhar, who is originally from Mumbai, speaks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi.

After a brief catch-up on Machchar's condition, Modi praises his bravery and says his quick thinking and decision in that fraction of a second helped saved many lives.

The pilot tells Modi: "At that moment, I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realised that if I didn't get up...then passengers would lose their lives." He recalls the horrific moment on the ground as he was violently set upon with a weapon by his co-pilot.

The Boeing 737 aircraft was apparently veering down.

Machchhar told himself, "This is the last push, the door is right there," before he managed to open the cockpit door to allow passengers to enter and overpower the perpetrator.

FlyDubai says the flight was secured by the on-duty crew and safely diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing.

Machchhar, a father of two, has worked for the airliner for around four years.

According to media reports, Israel's president says he'll give a special award to five Israeli passengers for their roles in halting the attack.

Investigations are underway to determine the motive of the Omani suspect, who is now under arrest.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicates in an interview that the man is a radical that underwent "Islamist indoctrination" without elaborating on the claim.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump warns Iran will be hit "very hard" if it is linked to the FlyDubai copilot for the attempt on the lives of more than 180 people aboard the jet.

He does not explain why he suspects Tehran is behind the attack, but tells reporters at the White House that Washington is "working on it right now."

Joe Federman from the Associated Press says: "This all comes as the US prepares to send an additional 9,000 troops to the Middle East and Trump threatens to resume heavy strikes against Iran."