In Brief
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed a personal phone call to praise the pilot's extraordinary composure and swift decision-making under high-stress emergency conditions.
- The captain recounted the critical sequence of technical failures and the precise emergency protocols executed to secure the safe landing of all passengers.
- Government officials commended the crew's exemplary professionalism, emphasizing the high standards of Indian aviation safety and crisis preparedness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke via telephone with commercial airline pilot Captain Smit Machchhar on Friday, October 2, 2026, extending personal commendations for his heroics during a life-threatening mid-air crisis. Captain Machchhar successfully landed a Flydubai flight after his co-pilot launched a violent stabbing attack inside the cockpit during flight.
During the conversation, Captain Machchhar shared his firsthand account of the incident, describing how, despite suffering serious injuries, he maintained control of the aircraft during a sharp descent. He explained that his primary focus was releasing the internal cockpit door lock, which enabled cabin crew members and passengers to enter the flight deck and neutralize the attacker. Machchhar noted that his determination to safeguard the 174 passengers and crew on board provided the composure needed to navigate the emergency.
Prime Minister Modi praised Machchhar's exceptional bravery, presence of mind, and adherence to duty under extreme duress. In a statement following the call, PM Modi emphasized that Captain Machchhar demonstrated an unwavering resolve to protect human life, adding that his swift actions averted a major aviation disaster and earned the pride of the nation.
