Captain Smit Machchhar and the Hanuman Chalisa: What We Know

Last updated: 10 October 2026

At the start of October 2026, a Flydubai flight bound for Israel was attacked from inside its own cockpit. The Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, was badly wounded but survived, and later told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he had been chanting the Hanuman Chalisa. This post sets out what major outlets have reported, carefully separating confirmed facts from personal belief, and explains the verses people are asking about.

Flight: Flydubai FZ1073, Dubai to Israel
Captain: Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot
When: Reported on 1 to 3 October 2026
Landing: Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
Official description: UAE authorities called it an attempted terrorist act
Captain's account: He said he chants the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he is in pain, and did so during the attack
Status: Investigation ongoing at the time of writing

This is a summary of public reporting, written with respect for everyone affected. Details in a fast-moving story can change, so please check the linked sources for the latest.

What happened on Flight FZ1073

According to reports from Al Jazeera: 12 minutes of madness - how the Flydubai pilot and passengers saved the plane and CNBC: Passengers and crew foil co-pilot's apparent attempt to crash Flydubai flight to Israel, the co-pilot attacked the captain in the cockpit and sent the aircraft into a steep descent in what was described as an apparent attempt to bring the plane down. The captain, though seriously wounded, managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers and crew then restrained the co-pilot and helped steady the situation, and other Flydubai pilots travelling on the flight took over and landed the plane at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Reports put roughly 180 people on board.

The captain underwent surgery and was then moved to a hospital in the UAE, as reported by i24NEWS: Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar undergoes surgery after cockpit stabbing and WION: Indian Capt Smit Machchhar chanted Hanuman Chalisa during Flydubai attack.

Credit where it is due

It would be wrong to tell this as the story of one person alone. The reporting describes a chain of actions: a captain who kept going while badly hurt, passengers who stepped in, and pilots on board who landed the aircraft. Every one of them mattered.

How the authorities described it

Reports say the UAE described the incident as an attempted terrorist act, and that its Attorney General said investigators had concluded this. Several outlets, including Al Jazeera: Who is the mystery co-pilot behind the Flydubai attack? and ThePrint: Captain Machchhar and the questions India needs answered on Flydubai, note that questions remain about how the co-pilot came to be flying and about his motives. We have chosen not to name or speculate about him here, because details were still being confirmed.

What Captain Machchhar said about the Hanuman Chalisa

In a call with PM Modi, reported by India.com: Captain Smit Machchhar recalls the cockpit attack during a call with PM Modi and Odisha TV: Captain Smit Machchhar says he recited the Hanuman Chalisa, the captain said he turns to the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he feels pain, and that he was chanting it during the attack. His words, in short: "Whenever I feel pain, I just chant Hanuman Chalisa." He added that he knew God was with him.

That is his personal account of how he coped, and it is a very human one. Many people in India and across the world recite the hymn in moments of fear, illness or danger, and it is natural that the story has struck a chord. Whether faith protects someone is not something a news report can prove, and this site does not claim it as fact. What the story does show clearly is courage.

Why people turn to the Hanuman Chalisa in fear

Free Press Journal: Why the Hanuman Chalisa is linked to courage and protection looks at why the hymn is so closely linked with courage and protection. The Hanuman Chalisa describes Hanuman as fearless, as a protector, and as a remover of troubles. Four verses in particular speak to people in difficulty.

Chaupai 22
सब सुख लहै तुम्हारी सरना।
तुम रच्छक काहू को डर ना॥
Sab sukh lahai tumhari sarna — All happiness is found under your shelter; with you as protector, there is nothing to fear.

Chaupai 24
भूत पिसाच निकट नहिं आवै।
महाबीर जब नाम सुनावै॥
Bhoot pisach nikat nahin avai — Ghosts and evil spirits dare not come near when your mighty name is spoken.

Chaupai 26
संकट तें हनुमान छुड़ावै।
मन क्रम बचन ध्यान जो लावै॥
Sankat te Hanuman chhudavai — Hanuman frees from every trouble one who remembers him in thought, word and deed.

Chaupai 36
संकट कटै मिटै सब पीरा।
जो सुमिरै हनुमत बलबीरा॥
Sankat katai mitai sab peera — Every trouble is cut away and all pain removed for one who remembers mighty Hanuman.

You can read all forty verses with meanings in the English meaning or Hindi arth, listen on the illustrated version, or learn about Hanuman ji and his life. See also the post on verses for courage and protection.

A note on faith and safety

Reciting a hymn can bring calm and steadiness, and many people find strength in it. It is not a substitute for medical care, emergency services or professional safety guidance. In a real emergency, follow the instructions of trained people first.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Captain Smit Machchhar?

Smit Machchhar is the Indian captain of the Flydubai flight FZ1073 that was attacked in the cockpit by the co-pilot at the start of October 2026. According to reports, he was badly wounded but managed to open the cockpit door, and passengers and crew helped bring the plane down safely.

What did Captain Machchhar say about the Hanuman Chalisa?

In a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reported by several Indian outlets, the captain said that he chants the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he is in pain and that he was chanting it during the attack. This is his own account of what he did.

Did the Hanuman Chalisa save the plane?

Reports credit a combination of the captain's actions, the passengers who restrained the co-pilot, and other Flydubai pilots on board who landed the aircraft. The Hanuman Chalisa is part of the captain's own account of how he coped. Whether it protected him is a matter of personal faith and cannot be established by reporting.

Where did the plane land?

Reports say the aircraft landed at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, and the captain was later airlifted for treatment in the UAE.

How did the UAE describe the incident?

Reports say the UAE described it as an attempted terrorist act and that its Attorney General said investigators had reached that finding. The investigation was still under way when this post was written.

Which Hanuman Chalisa verses speak about fear and trouble?

Chaupais 22, 24, 26 and 36 speak about shelter, freedom from fear and release from trouble for those who remember Hanuman. They are quoted with meanings below.

Sources and further reading

These reports were used for this post. We link to them so you can read the original journalism:

This page is an independent explainer and is not affiliated with any of the outlets above or with Flydubai.