Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Pilot Says Hanuman Chalisa Helped Him Fight Cockpit Attack
Captain Smit Machchhar was a pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
He said his co-pilot attacked him inside the cockpit.
Machchhar said he recited the Hanuman Chalisa while trying to fight back and control the plane.
He told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he kept going because he feared the passengers would die otherwise.
Spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri later said the prayer gave Machchhar confidence.
One report says more than 170 lives were saved, while another says there were more than 100 people on board.
The reports do not explain the difference.
They do not give the date of the attack.
Captain Smit Machchhar told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa during a cockpit attack.
Machchhar said he kept chanting while fighting the attacker, identified as his co-pilot, and trying to regain control.
He said he pushed himself to act because he believed the passengers would not survive if he did not.
Spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri said the prayer gave Machchhar confidence; he recounted the episode at a spiritual gathering.
The first report claims more than 170 lives were saved, while Shastri’s account describes more than 100 people aboard; the reports do not explain the difference.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, his co-pilot, and passengers aboard the flight; Machchhar recounted the incident to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- Machchhar said he recited the Hanuman Chalisa while fighting an attacker in the cockpit and trying to control the aircraft.
- When
- The reports mention a Friday video call with Modi and a Sunday gathering where Dhirendra Shastri discussed the account, but give no dates for these events or the attack.
- Where
- Aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv; Shastri spoke at a spiritual gathering in New Delhi.
- Why
- Machchhar said he acted because he believed the passengers would not survive if he did not stop the attack.
- Pilot
- Captain Smit Machchhar
- Airline
- flydubai
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Attacker
- Machchhar’s co-pilot, described in the reports as Omani
- Prayer mentioned
- Hanuman Chalisa
- Person told about the incident
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a video call
- Passenger and rescue figures
- One report says more than 100 people were aboard; another claims more than 170 lives were saved.
- Later commentary
- Dhirendra Shastri praised Machchhar’s courage and said the prayer gave him confidence.
