Captain Smit Machchhar remains under medical care in Abu Dhabi after helping passengers and crew avert a potential disaster on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is recovering well in an Abu Dhabi hospital after being seriously injured in a mid-air attack by his co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight, the Indian Embassy in the UAE said.
The incident took place on September 30 aboard flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people on board. The aircraft suffered a sharp loss of altitude after the co-pilot attacked Machchhar in the cockpit.
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Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing cabin crew, passengers and a reserve pilot to intervene
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The co-pilot was overpowered and the Boeing 737 was diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely
The UAE Attorney General Hamad Al Shamsi has described the incident as an attempted terrorist act. Investigators said the co-pilot used a cockpit crash axe to attack the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Authorities are examining physical and digital evidence to establish the motive and circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Indian Embassy said Machchhar remained under “excellent medical care” and that it was in contact with his family and local authorities. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke to the injured pilot by telephone while he was receiving treatment in Abu Dhabi.
Machchhar later recalled that his 17 years of flying experience helped him understand what was happening even while he was badly injured. His actions, together with the intervention of passengers and crew, prevented what could have been a major aviation disaster.
The suspect has since been identified in reports as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. Investigations involving authorities in the UAE and other countries are continuing, while questions have emerged over the vetting and security procedures that allowed him to operate the Israel-bound flight.
