\n<\/p>\n
FlyDubai captain Smit Machchhar recounted the harrowing moments when he was attacked by his co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv Wednesday, telling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he knew he had to act to save the passengers aboard the plane.<\/p>\n
Machchhar spoke with Modi in Hindi in a video call released Friday by the prime minister’s office.<\/p>\n
Machchhar, who was seriously injured in the attack, said he realized he was not only fighting to save his own life but also the lives of everyone on the plane.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was lying on the floor, I could feel that the aircraft was plunging and I said to myself while I was getting beaten, \u2018This is the last push, Smit, do it, the door is right there,\u2019\u201d Machchhar said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomehow, I opened the door, and everyone came in and everyone else had an equal role in the rescue,\u201d he said. \u201cI was trying to save myself, but I also knew that I can\u2019t let anyone die.\u201d<\/p>\n
The flight plunged thousands of feet during the incident before Machchhar, who has been flying for 17 years and had been a captain for 11 years, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene. The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was fighting for my life in that moment,\u201d Machchhar said, describing the attack. \u201cIt was a moment when I thought, because I had fallen on the floor, I was wounded and fell down.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said his experience as a pilot helped him understand what was happening even while he was injured.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if I shut my eyes, I can tell what is happening inside a plane,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
During the call, Modi asked Machchhar how he was feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am fine and everything is all right,\u201d Machchhar replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe entire country is praying for you,\u201d Modi told him.<\/p>\n
Modi praised Machchhar for his courage, patience and presence of mind, saying he had made a split-second decision that saved the lives of many people.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou took a decision in a fraction of second and saved the lives of so many people,\u201d Modi said. \u201cToday, the whole country can say this with pride: We Indians are not killers, we are life savers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Modi also praised Machchhar for thinking about the passengers despite being seriously injured himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the biggest thing is you enhanced the honor of 1.4 billion Indians and that is why I am feeling proud from my heart,\u201d Modi said.<\/p>\n
Machchhar told Modi that he was his \u201cbiggest idol\u201d and said he was proud that the prime minister had called him.<\/p>\n
Machchhar has been recovering after receiving initial treatment in Tabuk and being transferred to Abu Dhabi for continued medical care.<\/p>\n
Modi said prayers had been offered for Machchhar’s recovery at temples and other holy places across India.<\/p>\n
\u201cYesterday, prayers and chants were offered in all the temples and holy places, wishing for your long life, and we all are praying for your good health,\u201d Modi said. \u201cYou are going to be in good health very soon and India is very eager to welcome you.\u201d<\/p>\n