Dubai crown prince praises pilot who helped foil cockpit attack

UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum visited Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar in Abu Dhabi and praised his actions during an alleged attack aboard a passenger flight. Hamdan said Machchhar had shown courage, responsibility and concern for human life. He conveyed the UAE leadership’s appreciation in a post on X after the visit, describing the pilot as part of the country’s story and values.

Machchhar is recovering after his Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a crash axe on Wednesday’s Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. The UAE has called the incident a terrorist attack. According to the UAE Attorney General’s office, the co-pilot attacked Machchhar before attempting to take control of flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar opened the cockpit door and called for assistance. Passengers and crew members overpowered the alleged attacker. A reserve crew then landed the aircraft at Tabuk airport.

Flightradar24 data cited in the report showed that the plane descended more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds over Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities handed the co-pilot to the UAE after a preliminary investigation involving security teams from both countries. Al Arabiya and people familiar with the investigation identified him as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national.

The Associated Press reported that Oman had previously barred al-Hammami from flying amid concerns that he had adopted extremist views. The supplied material said it remained unclear what information flydubai had about his earlier removal from flying duties or how extensively he was vetted before being hired. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machchhar by video call on Friday and praised his quick decisions.

Machchhar said he recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the attack and described Modi as his biggest idol.