While seriously injured, FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar fought back against a co-pilot attack mid-flight and managed to open the cockpit door. During the incident, the flight plunged thousands of feet. Machchhar, who has flown for 17 years and served as captain for 11, then acted to save the passengers aboard. The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed in an emergency.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Machchhar on a video call, during which she recounted the harrowing moments in Hindi. The prime minister’s office released the call Friday.
The Attack on the Cockpit
Machchhar explained the instant he recognized he needed to step in to protect the people on the aircraft. Though he suffered serious injuries during the assault, he understood that he was struggling not just for his own survival, but for the lives of everyone aboard the plane.
“When I was lying on the floor, I could feel that the aircraft was plunging and I said to myself while I was getting beaten, ‘This is the last push, Smit, do it, the door is right there,'” Machchhar said.
He claimed he managed to open the door some way, and everyone then entered and played an equal part in the rescue. His aim was saving himself, yet he knew he could not allow anyone else to perish.
The Plunge and the Rescue
Before Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, the flight dropped thousands of feet during the incident. Once the door was open, passengers and crew stepped in.
“I was fighting for my life in that moment,” Machchhar said, describing the attack. “It was a moment when I thought, because I had fallen on the floor, I was wounded and fell down.”
His time as a pilot gave him the means to comprehend what was occurring, even when he was hurt.
“Even if I shut my eyes, I can tell what is happening inside a plane,” he said.
Modi’s Praise for Machchhar
Modi inquired about Machchhar’s well-being during the conversation, to which Machchhar responded that he felt fine and that everything was all right.
“The entire country is praying for you,” Modi told him.
Modi commended Machchhar for his bravery, fortitude and quick thinking, noting that he had made a split-second decision that saved the lives of many people.
“You took a decision in a fraction of second and saved the lives of so many people,” Modi said. “Today, the whole country can say this with pride: We Indians are not killers, we are life savers.”
Machchhar was also complimented by Modi for prioritizing the passengers’ safety even though he was seriously injured himself.
“And the biggest thing is you enhanced the honor of 1.4 billion Indians and that is why I am feeling proud from my heart,” Modi said.
Machchhar’s Words to Modi
Modi was addressed by Machchhar as his “biggest idol”, who also expressed pride over having been contacted by the prime minister.
Recovery and Prayers
Machchhar was first treated in Tabuk before being moved to Abu Dhabi for further care, where he is now recovering.
Across India, Modi said prayers were offered for Machchhar’s recovery at temples and other holy places.
Modi said “Yesterday, prayers and chants were offered in all the temples and holy places, wishing for your long life, and we all are praying for your good health,” according to “You are going to be in good health very soon and India is very eager to welcome you.”.
The Decision That Saved Many Lives
Many lives were saved because Machchhar made a quick choice at a critical moment, and Modi praised him for it.
| Who | What They Said |
|---|---|
| Machchhar | “This is the last push, Smit, do it, the door is right there” |
| Modi | “We Indians are not killers, we are life savers” |
The call was released Friday by the prime minister’s office. ABC News’ Victoria Beaule contributed to this report.
The Rescue Effort
The sequence of events Machchhar describes in his account covers what happened during the attack.
- Machchhar was seriously injured in the cockpit
- He managed to open the cockpit door
- Passengers and crew intervened once the door was open
- The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed in an emergency
Machchhar’s words to Modi — calling him his “biggest idol” — show the respect Machchhar holds for the prime minister personally.
That Modi reached out to Machchhar personally and spoke highly of him publicly underscores how important the incident was.
The nation remains patient as Machchhar’s recovery continues, awaiting his full return to health.
The Last Push
Machchhar’s words capture the moment he acted. The “last push” was his final effort to open the door and save everyone on board.
It was Machchhar’s composure during a moment of peril, his capacity to reason soundly even while wounded, and his choice to open the cockpit door that distinguished how he reacted to the assault.
Source material: “'The last push': FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar recounts harrowing cockpit attack,” ABC News.
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