The Calm Within the Chaos - Dr. Daniel J Levitin
Flydubai flight FZ1073 took off from Dubai for Tel Aviv, Israel. Everything seemed normal until the flight transmitted emergency signals and reportedly descended about 14,000 ft in under a minute. Inside the cockpit, the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain, Smit Machchhar. Deeply wounded, Smit reportedly thought he couldn't give up and risk the lives of 180 passengers, besides his own.
With whatever energy he had left, he opened the cockpit door from inside, letting passengers and off-duty crew in. They helped overpower the co-pilot, and two off-duty flydubai pilots landed the flight safely. Smit's quick thinking under stress helped save everyone aboard.
This brings us to a 12-minute TED talk by neuroscientist Daniel Levitin, "How to stay calm when you know you'll be stressed". Daniel explains that stress makes it hard to think clearly, especially in situations linked to ourselves and our loved ones, so it is pivotal to prepare in advance. The human brain recalls pre-set patterns and applies them as an instinctive reflex.
In a video call with Indian PM Narendra Modi, Smit said his very first thought, under tremendous stress, was to channel all his leftover energy into reaching and releasing the cockpit door so others could save his passengers.
The training he received, and his presence of mind, helped him make the right decision that day.
“Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it” - Nelson Mandela
Credits
Avinash Gupta
2025-2027
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