Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Modi Praises Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar After Cockpit Attack
Captain Smit Machchhar was badly hurt when his co-pilot attacked him inside a plane.
The plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Machchhar said he could tell the plane was going down, so he pushed himself to act.
He opened the cockpit door, and passengers and crew went in and stopped the co-pilot.
The plane landed in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar said he recited the Hanuman Chalisa to help him feel brave.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him and praised what he did.
Machchhar is now recovering in a hospital in the UAE.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with injured Captain Smit Machchhar by video call on Friday and praised his courage.
Machchhar said he was badly injured but realized the aircraft was descending and had to act to protect those aboard.
He managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and subdue the co-pilot.
The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; reports give varying passenger totals, including 170, 174, 180 and 182.
Machchhar said reciting the Hanuman Chalisa helped him through the ordeal; he is recovering in a UAE hospital, with Indian missions offering assistance.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the flight's passengers and crew.
- What
- Machchhar was injured in an alleged co-pilot attack, opened the cockpit door so others could intervene, and later spoke with Modi by video call.
- When
- The attack occurred on Wednesday; Modi spoke with Machchhar on Friday.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; Machchhar is recovering in the UAE.
- Why
- Machchhar said he acted because he realized the aircraft was descending and did not want others aboard to die.
Reported account
Variation in reports
Number of people aboard
Reported account
Some reports say the flight carried 170 or 174 people.
Variation in reports
Other reports cite 180 or 182 people; the articles do not establish a single consistent total.
Machchhar's hospital location
Reported account
Several reports say he is recovering in a UAE hospital, with some specifying Abu Dhabi.
Variation in reports
Another report says he was taken to a hospital in Dubai after being airlifted from Saudi Arabia.
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Emergency landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- People aboard
- Reports cite different totals: 170, 174, 180 or 182
- Machchhar's account
- He said the aircraft was descending and he pushed himself to open the cockpit door
- Prayer
- Machchhar said he recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the ordeal
- Recovery
- He is recovering in a UAE hospital; reports also identify Abu Dhabi and Dubai as locations of his care
- Government assistance
- Modi said Indian missions were providing assistance to Machchhar and his family
Sources
'Was Chanting Hanuman Chalisa': Captain Machchhar Describes Cockpit Attack to PM Modi, Calls Him His 'Biggest Idol'
Smit Machchhar recalls flydubai attack in call with PM Modi – ‘I was fighting for my life’
'Recited Hanuman Chalisa For Courage," flydubai Hero Pilot Tells PM Modi
‘Couldn’t let others die’: FlyDubai ‘hero’ Capt Smit tells PM Modi in video interaction
‘I kept reciting Hanuman Chalisa’: Smit Machchhar recalls flydubai ordeal in call with PM Modi
Had to get up and act, Smit Machchhar tells Prime Minister Modi over video call - Telegraph India
‘You are my biggest idol’: Emotional flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar tells PM Modi
PM Modi speaks to Capt Smit Machchhar, applauds his bravery
PM Modi Speaks To Indian Hero Smit Machchhar; Flydubai Pilot Says 'He Chanted Hanuman Chalisa In Cockpit' After Attack By Co-Pilot
