Stories
Hero Pilot Recites Hanuman Chalisa During Mid-Air Attack, Saves Flydubai Flight
- •Captain Smit Machchhar recounted to PM Modi how he recited the Hanuman Chalisa during a mid-air attack by his co-pilot on a Flydubai flight.
- •Machchhar, despite being stabbed, managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overpower the co-pilot and prevent a crash.
- •The aircraft plunged 14,000 feet in 29 seconds during the attack before making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all 174 passengers safe.
- •PM Modi praised Machchhar's courage and composure, stating the entire country was proud of his actions to save lives.
- •Machchhar expressed his pride and called PM Modi his "biggest idol" during their emotional video call.
Key Questions Answered
Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked and seriously injured by his Omani co-pilot while the aircraft plunged 14,000 feet in 29 seconds. Despite his stab wounds, Machchhar unlocked the flight deck door so passengers could overpower the co-pilot and foil the crash attempt, leading to a safe emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Captain Machchhar via a video call to praise his courage, presence of mind, and composure in saving the passengers' lives. PM Modi also spoke to Machchhar's wife and parents, commending his mother Geeta Ben for raising him with the values of the Bhagavad Gita.
Captain Machchhar recounted to PM Modi that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the tense emergency moments aboard flight FZ1073, a practice he follows whenever facing a difficult situation. He also grew emotional during the call, expressing that speaking to his biggest idol was a very special and proud moment he never imagined would happen.
