Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on Friday with Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who suffered serious injuries while helping prevent a major mid-air disaster involving a Flydubai flight.
During the video call, Modi praised Machchhar’s courage and his efforts to protect the lives of passengers, while wishing him a speedy recovery. The pilot is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in the United Arab Emirates.
Machchhar recounted his experience during the incident and explained what gave him the courage to act despite being seriously injured.
“I was fighting for my life. I realised at that time that if I won’t show courage, then 170 passengers will lose their lives,” he told Modi.
He also said he was reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu devotional hymn, during the ordeal.
“Lord Hanuman gave me courage,” Machchhar said.
The Prime Minister had earlier spoken with Machchhar’s wife and parents on Thursday, assuring them that Indian diplomatic missions would provide full support to the pilot and his family.
During Friday’s call, Machchhar became emotional and apologised to Modi for breaking down. He said he had never imagined that he would one day have the opportunity to speak with the Prime Minister.
Modi had previously described Machchhar as a “hero” in a post on X, praising his “immense courage” and “valor” and saying that India was proud of him.
Speaking at the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission in New Delhi, Modi also referred to the incident as an example of exceptional courage, saying that an Indian pilot had helped prevent what he described as a “9/11-style tragedy.”
The incident occurred on Wednesday during an altercation between Machchhar and the co-pilot. Despite sustaining severe injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to intervene and helping avert a potentially serious disaster.
The Boeing 737 was reportedly cruising at around 34,000 feet when it began descending rapidly at approximately 23,000 feet per minute, eventually reaching about 15,600 feet.
Machchhar has more than 13 years of commercial aviation experience and around 9,750 flying hours, mainly on Boeing 737 aircraft. Before joining Flydubai, he spent 11 years with SpiceJet, where he served as a Line Training Captain.
Meanwhile, Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel as investigations into Wednesday’s incident continue.
