New Delhi, October 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke with flydubai Captain Smit Machchaar, praising his courage and quick thinking in preventing an alleged attempt to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
Machchaar, who is recovering in a UAE hospital, was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly stabbed him in the cockpit of flight FZ1073 on Wednesday. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.
During the video call, Modi praised Machchaar for prioritising passenger safety despite being badly injured. He said the pilot’s actions demonstrated that Indians are willing to risk their lives to save others.
Machchaar told Modi that his 17 years of flying experience, including 11 years as a captain, helped him respond quickly during the crisis. He also said he recites the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he faces difficulties.
“You are a brave man. India is waiting to welcome you,” Modi told the pilot, adding that people across the country had prayed for his speedy recovery.
The Mumbai-born pilot became emotional during the conversation and described speaking to the prime minister as a special moment.
The flight had issued emergency signals after making a sharp descent of more than 17,000 feet before diverting to Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier praised the Indian pilot’s actions, saying they helped avert a major tragedy.
