Indian Pilot Smit Machchhar Recounts Cockpit Struggle, Says Hanuman Chalisa Gave Him Strength – PM Modi Calls Him A Hero
SUNIL NEGI
In his first public statement since the mid-air attack, Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has described how he fought to open the cockpit door of Flydubai flight FZ1073 while lying injured on the floor after being stabbed by his co-pilot.
The incident happened on September 30 on a Dubai to Tel Aviv flight carrying 174 people, including 166 Israeli passengers. According to Israeli officials, the Omani co-pilot attacked Machchhar with a sharp weapon and tried to crash the Boeing 737 MAX 8, which went into a 14,000-feet dive in under 30 seconds over the Jordan-Saudi border. Emergency codes 7700 and 7500 were transmitted.
Speaking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a video call from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi on Friday, October 2, a heavily bandaged Machchhar, 39, from Ghatkopar, Mumbai, said he collapsed after suffering multiple stab wounds but made one last push to unlock the high-security cockpit door. “I was lying on the floor injured but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside. I had so many injuries, but I told myself that I had to get up and act. I was fighting for my own life but I knew I was not going to let others die,” he told the Prime Minister.
Machchhar said he kept reciting the Hanuman Chalisa during the struggle, a practice he follows whenever in difficulty. That act allowed cabin crew, passengers and two off-duty Flydubai pilots travelling as passengers to rush in, overpower the co-pilot and stabilize the aircraft, which was then diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. All passengers survived.
Prime Minister Modi, who had earlier hailed him as a “HERO” on X, praised his “courage, patience and presence of mind” and said 140 crore Indians feel honoured because of him. “You sustained such a severe injury and were fighting for life. Yet, even then, you did not care for your life, you cared for the lives of all the passengers. The country can proudly say Indians are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others,” Modi said. He added that Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap was being done for his recovery and spoke to his mother Geeta Ben, crediting her upbringing with values of the Bhagavad Gita.
An emotional Machchhar broke down during the call, wiping tears with his bandaged hand. “Sorry sir, I am crying in front of you. You are my biggest idol, sir. I had never imagined that I would get the opportunity to speak to you. Today, receiving a call from you makes me feel really proud,” he said. Modi consoled him, saying “If you cannot be emotional in front of me, then where can you be?”
The co-pilot is in Saudi custody while investigations continue by Saudi, UAE and Israeli authorities.
