‘If I didn’t do anything, they would die’: Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar tells PM Modi about midair horror

Machchhar, an Indian national, was seriously injured in the incident but continued to act despite his injuries during the confrontation inside the cockpit.

Describing the critical situation to the Prime Minister, Machchhar said he realised that if he did not act, the passengers and crew could be in danger.

“Everyone else played an equal role,” he said, acknowledging the contribution of others in helping bring the situation under control.

Machchhar also told Modi that he recites the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he feels scared and that he did the same during the incident.

“Whenever I feel pain, I just chant Hanuman Chalisa. At that time, too, I was only chanting Hanuman Chalisa,” he said during the video call.

The conversation came days after Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia following a violent confrontation between the two pilots inside the cockpit.

According to reports, the incident began when the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar, who sustained serious injuries during the confrontation.

The aircraft was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, when the incident unfolded.

Passengers and crew members reportedly intervened after the cockpit door was unlocked. Israeli dentist Musaev Shota, who was travelling on the flight, said he helped restrain the alleged attacker before assisting the injured captain and attempting to stop his bleeding.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar reportedly managed to unlock the cockpit door before losing consciousness, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and help overpower the alleged attacker.

The aircraft also reportedly underwent a dramatic descent during the confrontation before control was regained and the flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing.

Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation, the alleged attacker's motives and any possible links to external actors. Any potential connection to Iran, however, remains unconfirmed based on the statements cited above.