ABU DHABI: UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum on October 3, Saturday, visited Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar and praised his extraordinary courage in protecting passengers during a terrifying mid-air cockpit terror attack by his co-pilot.
Conveying the UAE leadership’s appreciation, the Dubai Crown Prince lauded the injured pilot for displaying exceptional responsibility and concern for human life. The recognition comes after Machchhar, despite suffering serious injuries, managed to open the cockpit door and call for help, enabling passengers and crew members to overpower the terrorist attacker and avert a potential 9/11-style tragedy.
UAE leadership praises pilot’s courage and commitment to save lives
Following his meeting with Captain Machchhar, Sheikh Hamdan shared a photograph of the visit on X, expressing the UAE leadership’s admiration for the Indian pilot’s actions during the crisis. “During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar, the flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life”, the Dubai Crown Prince wrote.
He added that Machchhar had earned the UAE leadership’s “full appreciation and praise”, emphasising the country’s pride in having him as part of the flydubai team. “We are proud that he is part of our team, part of the story of our nation and part of what the UAE stands for: A nation of compassion, a nation of peace, and a nation of life”, Sheikh Hamdan said.
During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life.
From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise.
We are proud that he is part of our… pic.twitter.com/QgpQxdcK5C
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) October 3, 2026
UAE senior diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash had also commended Machchhar’s professionalism, describing the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 as a “dangerous terrorist act” that could have resulted in a catastrophe. Gargash stressed the importance of vigilance against extremism and terrorism, while praising the Indian pilot for demonstrating courage and responsibility under extraordinary circumstances.
“The Indian pilot deserves every bit of appreciation,” Gargash said, adding that Machchhar’s professionalism and moral sense during the crisis made him a hero. Machchhar is recovering in Abu Dhabi after receiving initial medical treatment in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft made an emergency landing following the attack.
PM Modi praises Captain Machchhar; Pilot recounts terrifying moments
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machchhar through a video call on October 2, Friday, appreciating his quick thinking and determination to protect the lives of passengers aboard the aircraft. “You have taken so many decisions in a fraction of a second. And you have saved the lives of so many people”, PM Modi told the pilot, adding that the country was proud of his actions.
“We Indians are not the ones who take lives. We are the ones who save lives”, the Prime Minister said. During the conversation, Machchhar recounted how he struggled to open the cockpit door even as his attacker continued assaulting him. Despite his injuries, he remained determined to seek help.
“When I was down on the floor, I sensed that the aircraft was going down. And I knew for sure: ‘This is the one last push, Smit. Just do it. The door is right there”, he told PM Modi. “Even as blows were still landing on me, I just managed to open it, sir. Then everyone else arrived. The others also played an equal role in this”, he added.
According to the UAE Attorney General, the Omani co-pilot attacked Machchhar with the aircraft’s crash axe before attempting to take control of the flight. The aircraft was carrying 174 passengers. After Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, passengers and crew members intervened and restrained the attacker. A reserve crew aboard the aircraft subsequently took control and landed the plane safely at Tabuk airport. A passenger, reportedly a dentist, also provided medical assistance to the injured captain.
