Sanjay Seth offers prayers for pilot Smit Machchhar after mid-air crisis

While commanding Flight FZ1073, the 39-year-old pilot faced an internal assault when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a sharp weapon in an attempt to seize control of the Boeing 737 MAX. The struggle caused the aircraft to plummet nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. Despite sustaining severe head trauma and multiple stab wounds, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to subdue the assailant.

Two off-duty flydubai pilots on board assisted in stabilizing the jet, ultimately diverting it to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where all 174 people on board landed safely. During a recent conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar shared that he recited the Hanuman Chalisa while struggling to maintain control of the plane. Seth praised the pilot’s resilience, noting that his actions have garnered international acclaim and that the nation remains united in wishing him a swift return to health.