NEW DELHI, Oct 2: Captain Smit Machchhar, who helped prevent a major tragedy after being attacked by his co-pilot aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he made “one last push” to reach the cockpit despite being severely injured.
Machchhar spoke to Modi over the phone on Friday while recovering in a hospital in the UAE. Recalling the moments after the attack, he said his 17 years of flying experience helped him realise that the aircraft was going down.
“When I was down on the floor, I sensed that the aircraft was going down. And I knew for sure: ‘This is the one last push, Smit. Just do it. The door is right there.’ Even as blows were still landing on me, I just managed to open it, sir,” Machchhar told the Prime Minister.
He said other people on board had also played an important role in bringing the situation under control. Machchhar said that although he consciously told himself he was fighting for his own survival, he knew he could not allow the passengers to die.
“I knew deep down that I could not let all of them die,” he said.
Machchhar said he had been flying aircraft for 17 years and had served as a captain for the past 11 years. He said his experience allowed him to understand what was happening with the aircraft even during the attack.
Modi praised Machchhar for his courage and presence of mind, saying his actions had made the country proud. “Your courage, your patience, and your presence of mind. You made crucial decisions in fractions of a second and saved so many lives,” Modi said.
The Prime Minister assured Machchhar that he could contact him whenever needed and said India was waiting to welcome him back. He also said people across the country were praying for his recovery.
Machchhar said he remained calm during the ordeal by repeatedly reciting the Hanuman Chalisa. He later told Modi that he regularly recited it with his two-year-old son and that his family had ensured they remained connected with their culture while living away from India.
The conversation turned emotional when Machchhar told Modi, “I never thought I’d be talking to you right now.” Modi responded, “If you aren’t emotional in front of me, then where will you be?”
Machchhar expressed confidence about his recovery, saying it would take time but he expected to become completely healthy.
The incident involved flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot. Despite sustaining injuries, he managed to reach the cockpit and helped ensure the aircraft landed safely.
Modi had earlier praised Machchhar’s “patience, presence of mind, and courage”, saying his actions helped prevent what he described as a “9/11-style tragedy”.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced the ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for Machchhar in recognition of his actions. The Prime Minister also thanked the governments of Saudi Arabia and the UAE for their assistance following the incident.
