Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan visits flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar on October 3, 2026. DUBAI MEDIA OFFICE
Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has visited injured flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar, praising the Indian pilot for his courage and commitment to protecting lives during a serious incident aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Sheikh Hamdan, who is also the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, paid tribute to Machchhar on Saturday (October 3) as the captain continued his recovery following the incident aboard flight FZ1073.
Sharing photographs of the visit, Sheikh Hamdan said the captain had demonstrated “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,” Sheikh Hamdan said. “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.”
The visit followed an incident on Wednesday (September 30), when flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel. The aircraft diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where injured crew members received medical treatment.
The UAE Attorney-General, Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said on Saturday that the investigation had found the co-pilot attacked Machchhar inside the flight deck with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said Machchhar had returned safely to the UAE by Friday, was in good condition and was receiving medical care. The authority also praised the crew and passengers who helped bring the situation under control, saying their swift intervention helped prevent more serious consequences.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances and motives behind the incident, including examining physical and digital evidence. The Attorney-General said the final findings would be announced after the necessary procedures had been completed.
Meanwhile, Machchhar also received public recognition from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised his courage.
“Despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others,” Modi said in a statement on Thursday (October 1), adding that Machchhar’s actions helped avert a major tragedy.
Indian and Israeli leaders have also commended the captain. Indian Ambassador to the UAE Deepak Mittal also praised the captain, saying India was “proud of its brave son” for demonstrating “great bravery and courage in an exemplary manner”.
The flight carried more than 170 people. Flydubai said an “altercation occurred in the flight deck” and confirmed that all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for after the aircraft landed in Tabuk. ICA/Expat Media
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