‘One last push’: Captain Smit tells PM Modi how he reached cockpit door despite injuries

October 2, 2026 2:23 PM

‘One last push’: Captain Smit tells PM Modi how he reached cockpit door despite injuries

Captain Smit Machchhar, who helped avert a major tragedy after being attacked by his co-pilot aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that despite suffering severe injuries, he made “one last push” to reach the cockpit door as he could not let the passengers die.   Speaking to PM Modi over the phone on Friday, Captain Machchhar recalled the moments after he collapsed on the floor following the attack and said his 17 years of flying experience helped him realise t...

‘Whole Country Is Praying for You’: PM Modi Speaks to Captain Smit Machchhar

October 2, 2026 2:15 PM

‘Whole Country Is Praying for You’: PM Modi Speaks to Captain Smit Machchhar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who helped avert a major tragedy after being attacked by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.   During a video call, PM Modi praised Captain Machchhar’s courage, presence of mind and composure and said the entire country was praying for his recovery.   The Prime Minister began the interaction by asking the pilot about his health.   “How are you? How's your health now?”...

From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar wins praise for foiling flydubai crash attempt

October 1, 2026 12:05 PM

From textile engineering to cockpit hero: Indian pilot Smit Machchhar wins praise for foiling flydubai crash attempt

For Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, hailed as a hero for averting a crash of a flydubai jet bound for Israel, aviation was never part of his childhood dreams. Machchhar had his sights set on the family's textile business, until the aviation bug bit at the age of 19, which scared his mother. Now even after thousands of hours of flying, Machchhar's love of aviation is something he keeps in the cockpit, reluctant to discuss with those on the ground. "Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO," Indian Prime ...