Couldn’t let them die: Captain Machchhar tells PM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke over the phone with Captain Smit Machchhar, who averted an alleged terror incident on board an Israel-bound flydubai flight. Machchhar is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in the UAE. During the conversation, the PM observed how the incident could have affected the perception of Indian pilots had events unfolded differently. Modi spoke to the pilot, who.
“I was fighting for my life, but I was determined not to let others die. It was such a crucial moment. There was a moment when I realised that if I don’t do something — because I was lying on the ground (in cockpit), I could feel that the aircraft was going down,” flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar told PM Modi on Friday while recounting the incident.
Machchhar, who was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 while travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, gave a detailed account of the incident to the PM during the video call. He, however, did not disclose what triggered the attack on him or the motive of the co-pilot.
PM Modi lauded the pilot’s bravery, presence of mind and composure, and said Machchhar took a split-second decision that saved lives. Machchhar shared that whenever he faces difficulty, he recites the Hanuman Chalisa, a hymn devoted to Lord Hanuman.
“I was lying on the floor (of the cockpit) injured. With whatever energy that was left with me, I managed to act properly and saved the plane,” the pilot said. Machchhar said he was repeatedly beaten and sustained multiple injuries, but he told himself that he had to get up and act.
“At that time, I thought if I don’t get up... I have been flying planes for 17 years, I have been a Captain for the last 11 years, and I know what is happening in an aircraft even with my eyes closed. When I was lying down below, I knew for a fact that if I could make one last push — the door was right there. Even while I was still taking blows, I could just open the door,” he said.
The pilot said that after the cockpit door was opened, everyone else came in, and everyone played an equally important role. “But honestly, I was acting out of survival, yet at the same time, I knew I couldn’t let all of them die,” he said.
“At that time, you received so many injuries and were engaged in a fight of life and death. But you ignored your own safety and were concerned about the safety of the passengers. You have enhanced the honour of 140 crore Indians. I feel proud from the bottom of my heart,” the PM said.
“I feel extremely, extremely proud. Getting your call makes me feel so proud. Now I feel proud of myself; until now I wasn’t, but now I do. I am sorry I am crying in front of you,” Machchhar said.
The pilot said the hospital staff are taking good care of him with immense love and attention. Machchhar also told the prime minister that he was not viewing his injury merely as a wound, as doing so would make his recovery even harder.
“You are a brave man. India is waiting to welcome you,” PM Modi told the pilot.
Modi also spoke about Machchhar’s mother, Geeta Ben, noting that she raised him with the values and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. The PM told the pilot that people across India and around the world are eager to speak with him.
The prime minister expressed his gratitude to the Governments of Saudi Arabia and the UAE for taking care of Machchhar. “Today is Gandhi Jayanti. You have shown the world what the true meaning of ahimsa is,” he added.
Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, transmitted emergency signals on Wednesday and made a rapid descent of over 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk city. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.
