India
Indian pilot recounts Hanuman Chalisa recitation during cockpit ordeal
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar recounted reciting Hanuman Chalisa during a mid-air emergency, praised by PM Modi for his bravery. The incident involved a co-pilot's attempted sabotage of a flydubai flight.
At a glance
Why it matters
The incident highlights the bravery of an Indian pilot who thwarted a potential terrorist attack, drawing international attention and reinforcing the values of courage and self-sacrifice in the face of danger.
Key facts
- Captain Smit Machchhar foiled an alleged co-pilot attempt to crash a flydubai flight.
- The flight, carrying 174 passengers, made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- Machchhar recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the crisis, which he said helped him stay calm.
- Prime Minister Modi praised Machchhar’s courage and called his actions a demonstration of the highest form of bravery.
- The UAE is investigating the motive behind the co-pilot’s attack.
What happens next
The UAE is expected to release its findings on the incident by early November 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke via video call with Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who foiled an alleged co-pilot attempt to crash a flydubai flight en route to Israel. During the conversation, Machchhar told Modi that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the tense moments in the cockpit. The pilot, who sustained injuries during the incident, described the prayer as a source of strength during the crisis.
The flight, which was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, transmitted emergency signals and rapidly lost altitude before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The aircraft was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children. Videos circulating on social media showed Machchhar drenched in blood, wearing an oxygen mask and lying on his back in the aircraft galley. According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an Israeli passenger and a crew member managed to enter the cockpit and overpower the co-pilot, who was accused of stabbing Machchhar and attempting to sabotage the aircraft’s systems.
Modi praised Machchhar’s courage and presence of mind, calling his actions a demonstration of the highest form of bravery. The Prime Minister also highlighted the values instilled in Machchhar by his mother, Geeta Ben, who raised him with the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. Modi said the country could proudly say that Indians are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their own lives to save others. The UAE has launched an investigation into the incident, and the motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
Machchhar became emotional during the call and said it was a very special moment to speak with Modi, calling him his 'biggest idol.' He said he had never imagined he would get an opportunity to speak with the Prime Minister. Modi also spoke to Machchhar’s wife and parents and praised his bravery. The incident has drawn international attention, with Netanyahu calling Machchhar’s actions a '9/11-like' disaster that was averted.
The exact details of the co-pilot’s motive remain unclear, and the UAE is conducting a thorough investigation. The pilot is currently recovering in Saudi Arabia. The next known development is the release of the UAE’s findings, expected by early November 2026.