Dubai Crown Prince Hails Indian Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar After Cockpit Terror Attack

DUBAI, Oct 3: Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has visited injured flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar and praised the Indian pilot for his courage and efforts to protect passengers during the September 30 cockpit attack aboard flight FZ1073.

Machchhar was injured after the co-pilot attacked him inside the cockpit as the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was flying from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The UAE Attorney General said Saturday that an investigation had established that the co-pilot attempted to carry out a “terrorist act”, attacking the captain with a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft. Investigators are continuing to examine the motive, circumstances and possible links involved in the incident.

During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan praised Machchhar for demonstrating the “highest levels of courage, responsibility, and care for people's lives”, saying he had the appreciation of the UAE leadership and was a source of pride for the country. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates, accompanied Sheikh Hamdan during the visit.

Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith also expressed his gratitude to the captain, crew and passengers who helped secure the aircraft during the emergency. He said the airline would continue providing support to those affected.

UAE Presidential Adviser Anwar Gargash separately praised Machchhar's actions, saying the pilot demonstrated courage and responsibility during what he described as a dangerous terrorist act. On Saturday, Gargash warned that the region's struggle against extremism remained ongoing and said attempts to justify terrorism through hate speech were themselves part of the danger.

The UAE investigation has now formally characterized the cockpit incident as an attempted terrorist act, while authorities continue investigating the suspect's motive and any possible connections.