UAE honours captain Smit Machchhar

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II to Captain Smit Machchhar and fellow flydubai crew members on Tuesday, October 27 for their bravery in protecting passengers during a reported cockpit attack on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.

The honours were presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, at a presidential reception. According to the Dubai Media Office, Sheikh Hamdan praised the crew for their courage, professionalism and commitment to passenger safety.

The incident took place on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was carrying more than 170 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv. During the flight, Machchhar was reportedly attacked by his co-pilot with a crash axe, an emergency tool kept in the cockpit.

The attack left the Indian captain seriously injured and caused the aircraft to descend nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to reports. The motive behind the alleged assault remains unclear.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar reportedly managed to activate the cockpit door release, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene and restrain the co-pilot. Two additional flydubai pilots who were travelling on board then helped bring the aircraft to a safe landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The co-pilot, identified by Israeli officials as an Omani national, was taken into custody. Machchhar received initial medical treatment at a hospital in Tabuk before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for further care.

During a meeting with the flydubai crew, President Sheikh Mohamed commended their actions and highlighted the importance of responsibility and professionalism in safeguarding lives.

The crew members expressed their gratitude to the UAE President for the recognition, describing the honour as a reflection of the country’s appreciation for service, dedication and commitment.

The leaders also reiterated that protecting human life and ensuring public safety remain fundamental priorities for the UAE.

Earlier, Sheikh Hamdan visited Machchhar in hospital while the captain was receiving treatment. The Crown Prince praised his courage in helping prevent a potentially serious tragedy and shared photographs of the meeting on X.

The ceremony was attended by several senior UAE officials, including Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Airports, as well as Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

The First Class Order of Zayed II is a UAE civil honour awarded in recognition of distinguished service, bravery and significant contributions. The recognition of Machchhar and the flydubai crew highlights their actions in responding to an emergency and helping ensure the safety of everyone aboard the aircraft.