Capt. Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot seriously wounded aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, spoke publicly from his hospital bed on Friday for the first time, recounting the dramatic moments aboard the Israel-bound flight during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I had so many injuries, but I told myself that I had to get up and act,” Machchhar said. “At that moment, I pushed myself to open the cockpit door. I fought for my life. I understood that if I did not show courage, 170 passengers would lose their lives.”