FlyDubai pilot describes harrowing attack in call with Indian prime minister

FlyDubai pilot describes harrowing attack in call with Indian Prime Minister Modi - The Washington Post

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FlyDubai pilot describes harrowing attack in call with Indian prime minister

Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, spoke from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi, according to a video shared by Narendra Modi.

October 2, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. EDTToday at 12:00 p.m. EDT

1 min

*Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seen this month in a photo distributed by Russian state news agency Sputnik. (Alexander Kazakov/Pool/AFP/Getty Images)*

By Rachel Chason

Smit Machchhar, the captain who was wounded during the FlyDubai attack this week, detailed his harrowing experience during a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Machchhar, who is an Indian national and spoke to Modi from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi, said he had been flying for 17 years and a captain for 11 years. He said he can tell, even with his eyes closed, what is happening with a plane.

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What readers are saying

The comments largely focus on the heroism of Captain Smit Machchhar and others involved in safely landing a plane under dire circumstances. Many commenters praise Machchhar's bravery and professionalism, while others highlight the collective efforts of off-duty pilots and... Show more

This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.

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