UAE confers Order of Zayed II on Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar for mid-air heroism
Dubai: Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, on Tuesday conferred Captain Smit Machchhar and the crew of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 with the First-Class Order of Zayed II, recognising their courage and efforts to protect passengers during a severe in-flight terror incident.
The honour was presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, alongside Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, also formally received the crew members on Tuesday.
On September 30, Flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following a violent assault within the flight deck. Captain Machchhar sustained injuries, while cabin crew, off-duty pilots, and passengers intervened to bring the situation under control. The aircraft landed safely, and all 172 passengers and crew members were reported safe.
During the reception, dignitaries commended the crew's bravery and decisive action, praising their high degree of responsibility in preserving passenger safety and emphasising that safeguarding human life remains the paramount value of the UAE.
ALSO READ: ‘Did I give up? No’: Flydubai hero pilot Machchhar recounts fight for life inside cockpit
While Machchhar was undergoing treatment for his injuries, Sheikh Hamdan visited him personally to commend his heroism and commitment to protecting passengers.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed pride in Captain Machchhar's actions as an inspiration to the country.
"During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life. From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise. We are proud that he is part of our team… part of the story of our nation… and part of what the UAE stands for… a nation of compassion… a nation of peace… and a nation of life," Sheikh Hamdan wrote in a post on X.
Earlier, in an interview with the UAE’s state-owned newspaper The National, Captain Machchhar recounted the assault, explaining that he absorbed multiple strikes from the co-pilot before he managed to unlatch the cockpit door.
“The first time when I was hit … my thought was something's gone horribly wrong with the aircraft structure, which has fallen on my head. It almost made me fall on my control column. In the next couple of seconds, when the hits kept on coming, (I realised) it was the other person who I thought was supposed to be on the team.”
“My immediate action was to free myself from the seat belts. And I tried to just block the blows as much as I could, because the blows were coming on the head… While the first few blows came in, my vision … it was so narrow. I lost a lot. I was just looking (at) outlines,” he told The National.
“Immediately, my hand went to the knob which opens the door. And (I was) screaming for my colleagues. I believe that was the first time when I lost consciousness. I fell face down in the cockpit,” he added.
As the aircraft descended 17,000 feet, Machchhar recalled, “The scariest thing that I heard and felt was the engines spooling down.”
Reflecting on the traumatic experience, he told The National, “Did my love die for aviation? Not at all. Not at all. I'm just glad that I was able to do my part.”
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Machchhar succeeded in unlocking the flight deck door, enabling passengers and off-duty crew members to enter and overpower the co-pilot, who had launched the attack using an axe in an attempt to crash the plane. A hijacking distress signal was transmitted during the struggle. The airliner was subsequently diverted and executed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, assisted by passengers with aviation experience. All 180 occupants on board disembarked without physical injury.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has also announced plans to award Captain Machchhar Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism in recognition of his actions.
ANI