'Even with my eyes closed, I knew what was happening on the flight,’ Capt Smit tells Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Flydubai captain, Smit Machchhar, who fought to save the lives of passengers despite being seriously injured in an attack by his co-pilot, on the phone. Machchhar told the Prime Minister that although he was fighting for his life, he realised at that time that if he doesn’t show courage, then all the 170 passengers will lose their lives.

‘You were seriously injured and fighting for your life. Even then, you did not think about your own life; you thought about the lives of all the passengers. You have made 140 crore Indians proud,’ Modi told Captain Machchhar.

‘I have been flying aircraft for 17 years, and I have been serving as a captain for the past 11 years. Even with my eyes closed, I can understand exactly what is happening on the aircraft. I had multiple injuries in the attack and I collapsed. But there was a moment when I realized that if I did nothing, the passengers would die. I felt the aircraft was plunging sharply downwards, and somehow, I managed to open the cockpit door,’ Machchhar said with tears in his eyes.

Machchhar was attacked while on board Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft, carrying more than 170 passengers, was being deliberately brought down by the Omani co-pilot. Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed while attempting to stop him. Machchhar, who sustained serious injuries in the incident, was initially treated in Saudi Arabia. He was later airlifted to Dubai for further treatment.

Visuals of Machchhar with multiple wounds on his body following the attack, were widely circulated. The resistance shown by the Indian pilot saved the lives of all the passengers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar’s courage and timely intervention and also spoke with his family members. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also praised his bravery.