The pilot of flydubai, Captain Smit Machchhar, has shared his experience from a hospital in Abu Dhabi following a violent incident in which he was attacked mid-flight by his co-pilot. In a conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar recounted the traumatic events that unfolded in the cockpit while he was attempting to protect the lives of the 174 passengers aboard.

During the discussion, which was recorded and later released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Machchhar described the moment he was assaulted, stating that he managed to open the cockpit door even while grappling with his assailant on the floor. Despite sustaining multiple injuries, he emphasized the urgency of his situation, recalling, “I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realized that if I didn’t get up … then passengers would lose their lives.”

Machchhar detailed how the aircraft dropped nearly 14,000 feet in under half a minute due to the attack, forcing an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. He attributed his resilience during the ordeal to his faith, mentioning that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a revered Hindu hymn, to summon courage. “Lord Hanuman gave me courage,” he told Modi, reflecting on the strength he drew from his beliefs during that critical moment.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also recognized Machchhar’s bravery, referring to him as a hero for his actions in averting a potential disaster. Machchhar, who has been with flydubai for four years and previously logged over 9,750 flying hours with SpiceJet, is married and has two children. His experience and quick thinking were pivotal in ensuring the safety of the passengers during the harrowing flight.