‘Flying Is Like His Wife’: Smit Machchhar’s Father Reveals What Went Through His Mind During Cockpit Attack
New Delhi: For Bhupendra Machchhar, the father of flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, there was nothing heroic about those first few moments after he heard what had happened to his son.
There was only fear.
“Like any parent, the first thought that came was one of shock and fear. Immediately, we lit a lamp before God and prayed,” Bhupendra said.
The family’s prayer was simple “God, whatever happens, no bad news should come; please save him.”
Smit is now recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi after being injured during an attack inside the cockpit by his co-pilot. According to report, he fought back despite suffering injuries to his head and both hands, helping prevent the situation from turning into a tragedy for the passengers.
His father does not describe what happened as something Smit had been specially trained for. Instead, he believes his son found strength in the moment.
“No one is specifically trained for this kind of situation. But it was God’s grace some inner strength guided him. When the crisis arose, he tackled it, using every ounce of his power. I would say it is mostly God’s blessing,” he said.
The injuries, however, have been serious. Smit underwent surgery on his head and received several stitches.
“The doctors said it will take time for these wounds to heal. He has sustained injuries to his head and both hands. His head was operated on, and he has received quite a few stitches. I won’t be able to provide all the exact details today, but the wounds are significant, and it will take some time to recover,” his father said.
For Bhupendra, his son’s attachment to flying is something the family has watched for years.
“Truthfully speaking, he has been flying for nearly 17 years now,” he said, adding that Smit has guided hundreds of pilots over the years, including helping them understand interviews and critical aviation matters.
Then came the line that perhaps best captures Smit’s relationship with his profession “Flying is like his wife.”
“Flying is everything to him. He doesn’t think about anything else beyond doing his job well and flying at the highest level,” Bhupendra said.
He believes that, when the aircraft was in danger, Smit understood there was no time to hesitate.
“When he fell inside the cockpit, he made up his mind that whatever had to be done had to be done right then, otherwise nothing would survive,” his father said.
“He had one firm conviction none of the passengers behind him should lose their lives. That was foremost in his mind. God supported that intention.”
And yet, despite all the praise coming his son’s way, Bhupendra says the family is thinking about something much simpler.
“When such an incident happens… we are very simple people. Everyone kept calling it a proud moment, but for me, my wife, and his wife, our primary concern was his well being. While it is a proud moment, our priority is to take care of our boy first,” he said.
Smit is expected to return to his professional duties after he has fully recovered.
For his father, the incident has also reinforced a larger belief he wants young people to carry forward “Truth and honesty always prevail. Holding onto integrity is the real path to success.”