Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Captain Smit Machchhar on Wednesday after the pilot saved 170 passengers on a flydubai flight that turned violent when the co‑pilot attacked him. The call came as the aircraft plummeted from 34,000 feet to 15,600 feet within a minute, forcing the crew to act quickly to prevent a catastrophe.
The incident unfolded over the Arabian Sea, with the co‑pilot—a 32‑year‑old Omani national—shouting threats and physically assaulting Captain Machchhar. The Indian pilot, who has 13 years of commercial experience and 9,750 flying hours, managed to unlock the cockpit door and allow crew and passengers to escape, averting what many feared would resemble a 9/11‑style crash.
Modi, speaking with a calm tone, praised the captain’s bravery, saying, "You made 140 crore Indians proud with your courage." He added that he had spoken to Smit’s parents, Bhupendra and Geeta Machchhar, and to his wife, Sonal, noting her confidence during the ordeal. "When I spoke to Sonal, I was surprised by her confidence," Modi remarked, underscoring the family's collective resilience.
Captain Machchhar broke down during the call, apologizing for crying in front of the Prime Minister. "Sorry that I am crying in front of you, Sir," he muttered, to which Modi replied, "If you will not be emotional in front of me, then where will you be?" The pilot then explained how chanting the Hanuman Chalisa helped him stay calm amid the chaos.
The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has opened a probe into the co‑pilot’s conduct, while the airline has issued a safety review. Both the pilot and his family are receiving medical and psychological support, with authorities promising full cooperation with investigators. The incident has sparked a nationwide conversation about cockpit security and pilot welfare.