Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar to receive Israel’s Presidential Award for Heroism
Tel Aviv: Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar will be honoured with Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for his role in thwarting an alleged hijacking attempt aboard a Flydubai flight, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced.
Herzog made the announcement on Thursday while presenting the Presidential Medal for Civilian Heroism to six Israeli passengers who helped prevent an alleged attempt to crash Flydubai Flight FZ1073 last week, according to Israel’s Government Press Office.
Addressing the award recipients, Herzog praised Machchhar’s courage and professionalism and wished him a speedy recovery.
"...the Israeli heroes whom we honour today, we send our heartfelt wishes for the full and speedy recovery of Captain Smith Machchhar of India. Captain Machchhar’s sheer courage and bravery and sound professionalism helped avert this catastrophe. Once he regains strength, it will be my honour and privilege to award him, on behalf of the people of Israel, the State of Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism."
Machchhar is recovering at a hospital in Abu Dhabi after suffering severe injuries during the mid-air confrontation on September 30 involving his co-pilot, Omani national Hamam al-Hammami.
Also read | From routine flight to ‘possible terror attack’: The unanswered questions around Flydubai FZ1073
Herzog also presented the award to six Israeli civilians — Tali Manes, Zvika Manes, Yaniv Hayoun, Dr Shota Musayev, Asaf Rajuan and Or Pardilov — for their roles in restraining the alleged attacker, according to The Jerusalem Post and The Times of Israel.
Indian pilot recovering in Abu Dhabi
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday that Machchhar was responding well to treatment and showing signs of improvement.
"Captain Machchhaar is in the hospital in Abu Dhabi," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated. "Our embassy in the UAE has been in regular touch with him, with his family, with local authorities, and with the hospital authorities. He's recuperating well. He's responding well. And his health is improving."
The Indian Embassy in the UAE had also provided an update on Tuesday, saying the pilot was making steady progress.
"Health Update: Capt Smit continues to make steady progress and is regaining his health," the Embassy said, adding that it "remains in close touch with his family, doctors & local authorities, extending all possible assistance."
"We thank everyone for their prayers & wish him a speedy recovery," the Embassy added.
How the alleged hijacking attempt unfolded
The incident took place aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on September 30, when the Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit with an axe in an attempt to bring down the aircraft.
Despite sustaining severe injuries, Machchhar managed to unlatch the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty crew members to enter and restrain the attacker.
The confrontation triggered a steep descent, with the aircraft losing approximately 16,000 feet in two minutes before a hijacking distress signal was transmitted.
The flight was subsequently diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. All 180 people on board disembarked without injury, according to the report.
Herzog said he would present Machchhar with the award once the pilot had recovered sufficiently to receive it.