‘Told myself, this will be last push’: Smit Machchhar to PM on flydubai cockpit fight

Captain Machchhar's Heroism

Captain Smit Machchhar's account of the mid-air struggle aboard the flydubai plane reveals a harrowing fight for survival and the lives of 170 passengers. As the aircraft plunged 14,000 feet in approximately 30 seconds, Machchhar, despite being severely wounded and on the cockpit floor, made a critical decision. He recounted telling himself, "this will be the last push," before managing to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and a reserve crew to overpower the assailant. This decisive action, taken under immense duress and injury, prevented a catastrophic disaster, demonstrating an exceptional level of courage and presence of mind.

The incident, which occurred on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, saw the co-pilot allegedly attempting to crash the aircraft. Machchhar's quick thinking and resilience, even while bleeding heavily, allowed for the plane to be diverted and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia by the reserve crew. His actions garnered international praise, including from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who lauded Machchhar for saving 174 lives, including Israeli citizens, and preventing a "catastrophic mid-air disaster."

PM Narendra Modi's Recognition

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally acknowledged Captain Machchhar's bravery during a 10-minute video call from the Abu Dhabi hospital where the pilot is recovering. Modi praised Machchhar for bringing glory to the nation and India's flying community, emphasizing his courage, patience, and prudence in making split-second decisions that saved numerous lives. The Prime Minister conveyed that the entire country was praying for him and expressed national pride, stating, "Today, the entire country can say with pride that we Indians are not those who just sacrifice their lives, but who save them."

Modi also spoke with Machchhar's parents, Bhupendra bhai and Geeta ben, and his wife, Sonal ben, the day prior, commending them for instilling such values. He noted Sonal ben's remarkable calmness and courage during their conversation, highlighting the strength of the pilot's family. The Prime Minister's direct engagement underscores the significance of Machchhar's act as a moment of national pride and an embodiment of Indian values.

The Hanuman Chalisa

During his emotional conversation with Prime Minister Modi, Captain Machchhar shared a deeply personal source of strength: the 'Hanuman Chalisa'. He revealed that he recites the devotional hymn whenever he feels pain and that he was repeating it during the cockpit struggle, attributing his survival to divine intervention. This spiritual aspect added another layer to his story, resonating with many in India and highlighting the role of faith in moments of extreme crisis.

Modi acknowledged the significance of the Hanuman Chalisa and bowed to Geeta ben, Machchhar's mother, for imparting such values to her son. The Prime Minister also reflected on the broader impact of Machchhar's actions, noting social media sentiments about how his heroism had positively shaped the perception of Indian pilots globally. Modi concluded by invoking Mahatma Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti, stating that Machchhar had displayed the true meaning of 'ahimsa' (non-violence) by saving lives.