Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan visited Indian pilot Smit Machchhar in Abu Dhabi and praised his courage after the Flydubai FZ1073 cockpit attack.
Dubai: Dubai Crown Prince, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on Saturday visited Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured in a cockpit attack aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Sheikh Hamdan praised Captain Machchhar for his courage, responsibility and concern for the safety of those on board. He said the UAE leadership appreciated his actions and expressed pride in having him as part of the country’s aviation community.
Captain Machchhar was injured after his co-pilot attacked him during Flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30. The aircraft, carrying 174 people, experienced a rapid descent before making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene. The aircraft was subsequently brought under control and landed safely.
Machchhar was initially treated in Tabuk and was later shifted to Abu Dhabi for further medical care and recovery. Investigations into the incident are continuing.
