DUBAI, Oct 2: A senior adviser to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his bravery during what he described as a “serious terrorist incident” aboard a flydubai flight that could have resulted in a major tragedy.
Machchhar was seriously injured after being allegedly attacked and stabbed by his co-pilot inside the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 while the aircraft was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
Despite suffering injuries, Machchhar reportedly resisted the attacker and managed to open the cockpit door. This allowed passengers to intervene and overpower the co-pilot. The Boeing 737 MAX 8, carrying 174 people, subsequently made a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was taken into custody.
UAE presidential adviser and diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash praised the Indian captain for his conduct during the incident in a post on X.
“Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar deserves the highest praise,” Gargash wrote, describing his actions as an example of courage and responsibility in confronting a potentially catastrophic situation.
Gargash further highlighted Machchhar’s professionalism and sense of responsibility under extremely difficult circumstances, calling him a “true hero”. He also stressed the need for continued vigilance against possible acts of extremism and terrorism.
The UAE adviser cautioned against the spread of conspiracy theories surrounding the incident, urging a responsible approach while investigations into the attack continue.
Following the emergency landing in Tabuk, Machchhar initially received medical treatment at a hospital in the Saudi Arabian city. He was subsequently transferred to Abu Dhabi for further care and recovery.
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal said on Thursday that the pilot was in good health and recovering well. Mittal also met Machchhar’s family and conveyed the Indian government’s support for his welfare and medical care.
The incident has drawn attention to the actions of the Indian captain, who continued responding to the emergency despite sustaining serious injuries, helping passengers gain access to the cockpit and enabling the aircraft to land safely.