Abu Dhabi: Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has visited Indian flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar in hospital, praising the pilot for his courage after he was seriously injured while fighting off an attack inside the cockpit of a Dubai Tel Aviv flight.
Sheikh Hamdan, who is also the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, met Machchhar on Saturday and conveyed the UAE leadership’s full appreciation and praise for his actions. He said the pilot had demonstrated exceptional courage, responsibility and concern for human life, adding that the UAE was proud to have him as part of its team and its national story.
The dramatic incident took place on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to the UAE Attorney General, the co-pilot attacked Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Authorities have described the incident as an attempted terrorist act, while saying investigations into the motive and any possible links are continuing.
Machchhar, despite suffering serious injuries, managed to open the cockpit door. Crew members and passengers then intervened, while another pilot helped regain control of the aircraft. The flight was diverted to Tabuk in north western Saudi Arabia, where the injured pilots received medical treatment.
The Indian captain was later transferred to Abu Dhabi. Indian officials have said he is recovering well and receiving medical care. India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, previously described Machchhar as stable and in good spirits after meeting him and his family.
Machchhar has since provided a first hand account of the cockpit ordeal. In a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he said the co-pilot had asked to pray before suddenly attacking him several minutes later. Machchhar recalled suffering a heavy blow to the back of his head, followed by repeated strikes, while the aircraft began losing altitude rapidly.
He said his vision became severely blurred but he realised the aircraft was descending and made one final effort to reach the cockpit door. Opening it allowed others to intervene.
The incident has drawn praise from India, the UAE and Israel, while investigators continue examining exactly what led to the attack and the events inside the cockpit. The UAE civil aviation authority has urged the public to rely on official findings and avoid spreading unverified claims as the investigation proceeds.
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