Dubai / New Delhi, October 28: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II, one of the UAE’s highest civilian honours, on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and fellow crew members of flydubai for their courage and professionalism in protecting passengers during an in-flight incident on September 30.
The medals were presented on Tuesday by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, also received the crew members and commended their sense of responsibility and commitment to passenger safety.
The incident occurred aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot, an Omani national identified in reports as Hamam al-Hammami, attacked Captain Machchhar with a crash axe kept in the cockpit for emergencies. The attack caused serious injuries to the captain, and the aircraft plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Despite being injured and on the cockpit floor, Captain Machchhar used his remaining strength to unlock the cockpit door. This enabled passengers and off-duty crew members, including two other flydubai pilots travelling as passengers, to enter, overpower the attacker, and assist in regaining control of the aircraft. The flight was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. All persons on board—more than 170 passengers and crew—survived.
UAE authorities have described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack aimed at crashing the aircraft into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Investigations are ongoing. Captain Machchhar, who has been recovering from his injuries, has received widespread international appreciation, including from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced that Captain Machchhar will be awarded Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism once he recovers.
Sheikh Hamdan had earlier visited the injured captain in hospital and praised him for demonstrating the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life. The UAE leadership has underlined that safeguarding the safety and security of people remains a priority for the nation.
