Heroic FlyDubai Pilot Opens Cockpit Door After Attack, Shares His Story With PM Modi
Capt. Smit Machchhar, the courageous FlyDubai pilot, recently spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the terrifying experience he faced when his copilot attacked him during a flight. Despite being stabbed, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to assist and stabilize the aircraft, which had dropped rapidly from the sky.
In a phone call on Friday, Machchhar expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, saying, “You are my biggest idol, and I am so proud you called me and encouraged me. I was fighting for my life at that moment.” He described the chaos, recalling how he felt himself falling to the floor after the attack, but was determined to get up. “I’ve been flying for 17 years, and even when I was on the floor, I could sense the plane’s descent. I told myself, ‘This is the last push, Smit, do it. The door is right there,’” he recounted.
Machchhar’s brave actions allowed Israeli passengers on board to rush into the cockpit and subdue the copilot, preventing a potential disaster as the plane had plummeted more than 14,000 feet in just 30 seconds. His quick thinking and leadership are being praised by leaders, including Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as from many passengers who experienced the frightening ordeal.
The pilot shared that during the struggle, he turned to his faith for strength. “When I’m in pain, I chant the Hanuman Chalisa, and I believe that God saved me,” he said. Prime Minister Modi reassured him that the entire nation was praying for his recovery. “People are chanting mantras for you. Your bravery saved many lives, and you’ve brought pride to all of us,” Modi noted.
Machchhar suffered serious injuries, including a stab wound to the head and significant damage to his arm. Despite the pain, he remains optimistic about his recovery. “I’m not looking at my injuries in a typical way; I see them as part of a journey. It might take time, but I’m confident I will heal completely,” he told Modi.
Following the incident, Machchhar was stabilized in Saudi Arabia and later transferred to a hospital in the UAE, where he is now on the mend. With a positive spirit, he assured the Prime Minister, “I am fine, and everything is all right.”
His story of bravery and resilience serves as an inspiration to many, showcasing the power of courage in the face of danger.
