‘Embodied the Highest Degree of Courage’: Dubai Crown Prince Meets Flydubai Hero Pilot Smit Machchhar

Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Deputy Prime Minister Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum on Saturday met Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar.

Who was injured while intervening during an attack on a Flydubai flight and helping protect the 180 people on board. Hamdan visited Machchhar as the pilot continued to recover in hospital and praised his conduct during the incident.

“During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the Flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life. From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise,” Hamdan said.

“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,” he added.

What happened on Flydubai flight?

Machchhar was attacked by his Omani co-pilot aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv with 180 people on board.

The incident occurred while the aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia at an altitude of about 34,000 feet.

Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar resisted the attack and managed to open the cockpit doors. Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and restrained the attacker.

The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk, where the situation was brought under control.

Machchhar receives international praise

Machchhar has received praise from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump for his actions during the incident.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs said the pilot was receiving excellent medical care in the UAE and was recovering well.

UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash also praised Machchhar, saying he deserved recognition for his courage and sense of responsibility in a situation that could have resulted in a major disaster.

Co-pilot identified

The co-pilot accused of attacking Machchhar was identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami.

The Associated Press reported that Hammami had previously been barred from flying by Oman over concerns about his extremist views before later being hired by the UAE-based airline.

Gargash described the incident as a “serious terrorist act” and said the co-pilot had attacked Machchhar with an emergency axe.

Reports have also alleged that Hammami spent considerable time outside Oman, including in Syria, where he was reportedly exposed to extremist ideas before travelling to the UAE. Netanyahu separately described the co-pilot as having undergone “Islamist radicalisation.”