Hamdan bin Mohammed commends flydubai captain for his bravery during mid-air attack and says the UAE is proud of his actions
Abu Dhabi, Oct 2026 : Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister Hamdan bin Mohammed on Saturday visited Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who is recovering in a hospital after being injured while preventing a mid-air attack aboard a flydubai flight, and praised his courage and composure.
Hamdan bin Mohammed, who also serves as UAE Defence Minister and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, said Machchhar had demonstrated exceptional courage, responsibility and concern for human life during the emergency.
“During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life,” he wrote on X after the meeting.
He said the pilot had earned the appreciation of the UAE leadership and described Machchhar as part of the country’s team and its broader story.
“From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise,” Hamdan said, adding that the UAE was proud of the pilot and what his actions represented in terms of compassion, peace and respect for human life.
The Indian Embassy in the UAE earlier said Machchhar was responding well to treatment and continued to receive medical attention.
The embassy said it was coordinating with his family and local authorities while extending support for his recovery. It also thanked the UAE government for the care being provided to the injured pilot.
“Indian braveheart Capt. Smit remains under excellent medical care & is recovering well. We are in touch with his family & local authorities, extending support for a speedy recovery,” the mission said in a post on X.
Machchhar was injured on Wednesday while responding to an alleged attack aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Israel.
According to reports, another pilot attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit, following which the aircraft entered a rapid descent. Machchhar resisted the attacker and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the assailant.
The injured Indian pilot was subsequently stabilised while the aircraft diverted and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar’s actions have drawn widespread appreciation for helping prevent the situation from escalating and protecting passengers and crew members aboard the aircraft.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to Machchhar over a video call on Friday. During the conversation, Modi praised his courage, presence of mind and composure during the emergency.
The visit by Dubai’s Crown Prince came as Machchhar continued his recovery under medical supervision, with Indian authorities maintaining contact with his family and UAE officials.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
