‘You’re My Biggest Idol’: Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar Tells PM Modi About Hanuman Chalisa During Mid-Air Crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call on Friday and praised the pilot for his courage, presence of mind and composure during a mid-air crisis.

The interaction came two days after Machchhar was seriously injured after allegedly being stabbed by his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

During the emotional conversation, Machchhar told Modi that the Prime Minister was his “biggest idol” and recalled reciting the Hanuman Chalisa while fighting to regain control of the situation aboard the aircraft.

Machchhar became emotional while speaking to Modi and described the conversation as a very special moment. He said receiving the Prime Minister’s call made him extremely proud and that he had never imagined he would get an opportunity to speak with him.

‘Biggest Idol’: Smit Tells PM Modi About Hanuman Chalisa

Modi told Machchhar that the entire country was praying for his recovery and praised him for his courage during the crisis.

Machchhar said that whenever he faces difficulties, he recites the Hanuman Chalisa. He told the Prime Minister that he continued reciting it even during the cockpit emergency.

“Whenever I get a chance, I say only one thing, I say only Hanuman Chalisa. Even at that time, I used to say only Hanuman Chalisa,” Machchhar told Modi.

He also credited his faith for helping him remain positive during the difficult moments.

Modi spoke about Machchhar’s mother, Geeta Ben, and said she had raised him with the values and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.

During the conversation, Machchhar also briefed the Prime Minister about the incident and explained what gave him the courage to respond despite being seriously injured.

‘I Was Fighting For My Life’: Smit Recalls Cockpit Attack

Machchhar described to Modi how he realised that the aircraft was losing altitude while he was injured and on the cockpit floor.

“I was fighting for my life,” Machchhar said while recalling the incident.

He explained that his 11 years of experience as a captain helped him understand what was happening to the aircraft even when he was unable to stand.

Machchhar said he realised the aircraft was going down and believed that he had only seconds to act.

“I totally knew that this is the last few seconds of Smit,” he recalled.

Despite his injuries, he managed to crawl towards the cockpit door and open it, allowing others to enter and help tackle the emergency.

Machchhar also expressed gratitude for the medical treatment he received after the incident in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Modi: Indians Are Willing To Risk Their Lives To Save Others

During the interaction, Modi said the incident demonstrated the courage of Indians in difficult circumstances.

The Prime Minister said the country could proudly say that Indians are not people who take lives but are willing to risk their own lives to save others.

Modi also wished Machchhar a speedy recovery and praised his bravery and presence of mind.

Smit Machchhar’s Recovery After Co-Pilot Attack

Machchhar was seriously injured in the alleged cockpit attack on Wednesday and was subsequently shifted from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates for further treatment.

India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, visited Machchhar and his family at the hospital and said the pilot was “in good health and recovering well.”

Machchhar was the captain of flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

While the aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia, his Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed him inside the cockpit.

Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar reportedly managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker.

The aircraft subsequently went into a steep descent. A plumber on board allegedly helped take control of the aircraft, while other pilots travelling on the flight assisted in diverting it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.

The incident has since drawn attention to Machchhar’s actions during the emergency and his efforts to prevent a potentially catastrophic outcome.