Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured after being attacked by his co-pilot aboard a flydubai flight, spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a video call on Friday. During the emotional conversation, Machchhar recalled the terrifying moments of the mid-air crisis and revealed that he was reciting the Hanuman Chalisa while trying to deal with the situation.
Machchhar became emotional while speaking to the Prime Minister and described the interaction as a very special moment for him. He told Modi that the Prime Minister was his “biggest idol” and said he had never imagined that he would get an opportunity to speak with him. Modi, in turn, praised the captain for his courage, presence of mind and composure during the emergency.
According to reports, Machchhar said that whenever he faces difficult situations, he recites the Hanuman Chalisa. He was doing the same during the crisis on board the aircraft. The pilot also spoke about the difficult circumstances he faced inside the cockpit and what gave him the courage to act despite suffering serious injuries.
The incident took place on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was carrying more than 170 people when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. The aircraft subsequently experienced a sharp loss of altitude and the situation quickly turned into a major emergency.
Despite being badly injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and helped overpower the attacker. Other pilots who were on board also assisted in stabilising the aircraft. The flight was eventually diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.
The Indian pilot was initially treated in Saudi Arabia and was later moved to the United Arab Emirates for further medical care. India's Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, visited Machchhar and his family and said that the captain was in good health and recovering.
During Friday's video call, Prime Minister Modi also spoke about Machchhar's mother, Geeta Ben, and the values with which she had raised her son. Modi told him that the country was praying for his recovery and expressed appreciation for the courage he displayed during the crisis.
Machchhar's actions have received widespread attention in India and abroad. Indian and Israeli leaders have praised his role in helping prevent a potentially disastrous outcome. The incident remains under investigation by authorities, while Machchhar continues to recover from his injuries.
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