Captain Smit Machchhar, who displayed remarkable courage in the cockpit of a flydubai aircraft, managed to save the lives of 170 individuals during a harrowing incident. In a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, he recounted his thoughts as he confronted his co-pilot, who turned into an assailant.
“In that critical moment, I was indeed fighting for my life. However, I came to understand that if I remained passive, given that I had already sustained severe injuries and was on the ground, the aircraft would ultimately crash. With 17 years of flying experience and 11 years as a captain, I realized that even with my eyes closed, I could sense the dynamics on the plane. As I lay there, it felt as though the aircraft was descending rapidly,” he explained to the Prime Minister from a hospital in Abu Dhabi, where he is receiving treatment for serious wounds.
“I motivated myself, telling myself that this was my final attempt. I needed to act; the door was right in front of me. While I was being attacked, I managed to open the cockpit door, allowing the passengers to enter. They played a crucial role as well. Though I was focused on saving my own life, I was also acutely aware that I couldn’t allow others to perish,” he added.
Originating from Mumbai, Captain Machchhar garnered international attention for his efforts to thwart an attempt by his co-pilot to crash the flydubai flight, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite profusely bleeding, he successfully opened the cockpit door as the plane plummeted from 14,000 feet in approximately 30 seconds. Passengers swiftly intervened and subdued the attacker, while a reserve crew member safely landed the aircraft at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended Captain Machchhar for his “extraordinary” courage, stating, “Despite being stabbed and gravely injured, he fought back, opened the cockpit door, and enabled passengers and crew to overpower the attacker, thereby averting a catastrophic mid-air tragedy. He saved 174 lives, including those of Israeli citizens and others. I wish Captain Machchhar a swift and complete recovery,” Netanyahu tweeted.
During his exchange with the courageous pilot, Prime Minister Modi lauded him for bringing honor to the nation and India’s aviation community. In their 10-minute video conversation, which included some lighter moments, Modi assured Captain Machchhar that the entire nation was praying for him. “Your bravery, your patience, and your decisiveness in a split second saved numerous lives. Today, India can proudly say that we are not just a people who sacrifice but also those who save,” the Prime Minister remarked.
Modi also mentioned his recent discussions with the pilot’s parents and wife. “Yesterday, I had the pleasure of speaking with Bhupendra bhai (Captain Machchhar’s father), Geeta ben (his mother), and Sonal ben (his wife). Although I couldn’t communicate with Java and Bobby (his children), I told Geeta ben that she has instilled in Smit the values of the Gita,” he added. Captain Machchhar expressed that Modi is his “greatest idol” and conveyed his gratitude to the Saudi and UAE authorities for the medical support he is receiving.
Captain Machchhar shared that the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ provided him with strength during challenging times. “Whenever I experience pain, I recite the Hanuman Chalisa; I was doing so during the incident, and I truly believe that it was divine intervention that saved me. Now that you have reached out to me, I feel a sense of pride,” he said, tears streaming down his face.
The Prime Minister responded, emphasizing the significance of the values imparted by Geeta ben. “Your mention of the Hanuman Chalisa speaks volumes about the foundation she has given you. When I spoke with Sonal ben yesterday, I was taken aback by her calmness and poise amidst such turmoil. It was unexpected for her to speak with such serenity under those circumstances,” he noted.
Prime Minister Modi expressed India’s eagerness to welcome Captain Machchhar back home. “I observed various emotions expressed on social media, with many wondering what might have transpired if your actions hadn’t occurred, and how it could have impacted India’s pilots and their reputation. By your actions, you have safeguarded all of them,” he stated. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he concluded, “On this day, which marks Gandhi Jayanti, you have exemplified what ahimsa (non-violence) truly means through your actions.”
