FlyDubai pilot awarded UAE medal after thwarting co-pilot attack

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 17:40 · Archive

Captain Smit Machchhar received the UAE's First Class Order of Zayed II for fighting off a co-pilot who attacked him with an axe during a flight to Tel Aviv.

Captain Smit Machchhar received the United Arab Emirates' First Class Order of Zayed II on Wednesday for his actions during an attack aboard FlyDubai Flight 1073. The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September when co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, 29, allegedly attacked Machchhar with a crash axe kept in the cockpit for emergency use.

Machchhar sustained a compound depressed skull fracture in the attack but, despite his serious injury, opened the cockpit door to allow passengers and crew members inside. Those aboard then grappled with al-Hammami to regain control of the aircraft. The plane plunged thousands of feet in seconds—outlets report either 14,000 feet, 16,000 feet or from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet—before the crew safely landed it in Saudi Arabia.

Authorities believe the attack was an attempted suicide mission targeting Israel's Ben Gurion airport. UAE public prosecutors have said the plan was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. The aircraft carried 174 passengers according to one report.

During the medal ceremony with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Machchhar's injuries were clearly visible, with stitches and scars evident on his shaved head and his left arm in a sling. He told the president it would still take another two months before he heals fully. The president joked that he would teach Machchhar to fight, suggesting jiu-jitsu training, once he recovered.

Machchhar described the award as his 'biggest honour'. His fellow crew members also received bravery medals for their actions during the incident.

How it is being reported

• Hero FlyDubai pilot who stopped plane hijacking reveals harrowing scars sustainedThe heroic FlyDubai pilot who stopped a hijacking on board an Israel-bound flight has revealed the harrowing scars he sustained during the dramatic cockpit attack. On Wednesday, Indian pilot Smit Machchhar received the United Arab Emirates’ First Class Order of Zayed II by Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his efforts in preventing what is feared could have been a "9/11-style" attack. The extent of Mr Machchhar's injuries could be seen in clear view as he received the prestigious award from the UAE president. Large scars with stitches could be seen at the back of his shaved head, while his…GB News · 30 Oct, 17:30
• FlyDubai pilot who saved Tel Aviv flight from disaster reveals scars from co-pilot attackSmit Machchhar was honored for his bravery after he was set upon with an axe en route to IsraelIndependent World · 29 Oct, 16:44
• Flydubai hero pilot who saved flight when 'terrorist co-pilot attacked him and tried to crash the plane' shows off sickening head scars as he accepts UAE bravery medalCaptain Smit Machchhar was severely wounded when Hamam al-Hammami, 29, allegedly hit him on the head with a crash axe and tried to take control of a plane flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv.Daily Mail · 28 Oct, 19:28

In this story: Smit Machchhar · Hamam al-Hammami · Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan · FlyDubai · Dubai · Tel Aviv · Saudi Arabia · United Arab Emirates

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log