Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, visited flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar on Saturday and praised his “courage and responsibility.”
Al Maktoum said Machchhar had “embodied high degrees of courage” and conveyed the appreciation of the UAE leadership to the Indian pilot.
Machchhar was the Captain of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, during which he was stabbed by his co-pilot, now identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, which allowed passengers to enter and restrain the co-pilot.
A second set of pilots on board then took control of the aircraft. A passenger who is a dentist gave medical assistance to Machchhar until the flight landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
What did the UAE Deputy PM say?
In a post on X, Al Maktoum shared a photograph of his visit and wrote, “During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life.” The UAE Deputy PM added, “From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise.”
He further said in the post, “We are proud that he is part of our team… part of the story of our nation… and part of what the UAE stands for… a nation of compassion… a nation of peace… and a nation of life.”
UAE presidential adviser calls attack a “terrorist act”
Anwar Gargash, adviser to the UAE President, had earlier described the attack on board flydubai flight FZ1073 as a “terrorist act” and praised Machchhar for his actions during the mid-air crisis.
“Vigilance and precaution are necessary in the face of extremism and terrorism,” Gargash said in a post on X, stressing the need for heightened alertness after the incident.
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He added, “The Indian pilot deserves every bit of appreciation, for he embodied the meaning of courage and responsibility in the face of a dangerous terrorist act and a potential disaster. His professionalism and moral sense in the darkest of circumstances make him a true hero.”
What Smit Machchhar told PM Modi
During a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar recalled the frightening moments of the mid-air crisis. He said he could sense the aircraft going down even after he collapsed from his injuries.
“When I was down on the floor, I sensed that the aircraft was going down. And I knew for sure: ‘This is the one last push, Smit. Just do it. The door is right there,'” the Indian pilot told PM Modi. “Even as blows were still landing on me, I just managed to open it, sir. Then everyone else arrived. The others also played an equal role in this,” he added.
