Captain Smit Machchhar recalls final push to save Flydubai flight

Pinned to the floor under a barrage of blows, Machchhar sensed the aircraft’s trajectory faltering. He described the mental battle of balancing his own survival against the lives of his passengers. By reaching the cockpit door despite his severe injuries, he allowed the crew to intervene and regain control of the flight. During the call, he revealed that he maintained his composure throughout the ordeal by reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, a practice he shares with his two-year-old son.

Prime Minister Modi praised the captain’s presence of mind, noting that his split-second decisions prevented a catastrophic outcome. The government has since expressed gratitude to Saudi and UAE authorities for their assistance during the emergency. As Machchhar recovers in a UAE hospital, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has announced the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award in his honor. Machchhar expressed quiet confidence in his eventual recovery, calling his healing a slow but certain journey.