New Delhi: The prime minister, Narendra Modi, spoke with injured Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar over a video call on Friday, hearing his account of the cockpit ordeal aboard Flight FZ1073 and what gave him the strength to act despite being seriously injured. Modi praised the pilot’s courage and presence of mind and wished him a quick recovery as Machchhar continues treatment in the United Arab Emirates.
During the interaction, an emotional Machchhar told Modi that speaking to him was a “very special moment” and described the prime minister as his “biggest idol”. He said that whenever he is in pain he recites the Hanuman Chalisa and had continued reciting it during the cockpit ordeal as he pushed himself to open the cockpit door despite his injuries.
Modi told Machchhar that the entire country was praying for his recovery. He added that India could proudly say its people were not those who take lives, but those willing to risk their own lives to save others.
Modi also told Machchhar that India was eager to welcome him back and thanked the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for looking after him. He assured the injured pilot that he was “only a phone call away” if any assistance was required.
Earlier on Thursday, Modi had praised Machchhar’s presence of mind and courage despite being seriously injured in the cockpit incident. “The incident that occurred, captain Smit of India demonstrated remarkable patience, presence of mind, and courage,” Modi said, adding that, as the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had stated, “an Indian prevented a 9/11-style tragedy”.
“For every citizen of our country, Smit’s valour fills us with immense pride,” Modi said. He also disclosed that he had spoken to Machchhar’s father Bhupendrabhai, mother Gitaben and wife Sonalben, adding: “His medical treatment is currently ongoing, and today the entire world feels proud of him.”
As RNA Media reported earlier, Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when an altercation broke out between Machchhar and his co-pilot inside the cockpit. Machchhar was seriously injured but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene before the aircraft diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia and landed safely.
New footage aired by Israel’s Channel 12 showed passengers calling for medical help and Machchhar outside the cockpit. He is heard telling another passenger that “the copilot hit me so many times” while describing an injury to his hand.
As RNA Media reported earlier, the Indian ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, met Machchhar and his family after the pilot was transferred from Saudi Arabia. “He’s doing well, he’s quite stable,” Mittal told Prasar Bharati, adding that Machchhar was talking and chatting despite some discomfort.
The motive behind the cockpit incident remains under investigation. The UAE Attorney general has ordered a specialized probe to determine the circumstances and whether the episode involved terrorist activity, prior planning or outside direction, and has urged against drawing conclusions before the investigation is completed.
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has said investigators believe the co-pilot underwent “Islamist radical indoctrination”, but that assessment has not been established as a finding of the UAE investigation. Machchhar remains under medical care as Indian diplomatic officials continue assisting him and his family.