📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / NarasinghP
National
Pilot Injured After Cockpit Door Incident on Flight
✍️ NDTV
🗓 04 Oct 2026, 08:47 AM
👁 14
A pilot was seriously injured when he opened the cockpit door during a flight, only to have it shut by the co‑pilot. The incident, reported by NDTV, occurred after the aircraft had taken off normally.
During a routine flight, pilot Smit Machchhar opened the cockpit door, a move that was immediately reversed when the co‑pilot shut it. The sudden action caused the pilot to suffer serious injuries.
According to Machchhar’s account, the flight had started normally and he was looking toward the front of the cockpit when the incident occurred. The co‑pilot, who was reportedly praying at the time, closed the door, leading to the injury.
The aircraft had already taken off and was proceeding as scheduled before the door was opened. No other passengers or crew were harmed.
Medical teams treated Machchhar on the ground, and investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the door being opened mid‑flight. The incident has prompted a review of cockpit door protocols.
According to Machchhar’s account, the flight had started normally and he was looking toward the front of the cockpit when the incident occurred. The co‑pilot, who was reportedly praying at the time, closed the door, leading to the injury.
The aircraft had already taken off and was proceeding as scheduled before the door was opened. No other passengers or crew were harmed.
Medical teams treated Machchhar on the ground, and investigators are examining the circumstances that led to the door being opened mid‑flight. The incident has prompted a review of cockpit door protocols.