UAE Honours Indian Captain Smit Machchhar for Mid-Air Heroism

The President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and fellow flydubai crew members in recognition of their courageous efforts to protect passengers during an attempted mid-air cockpit attack aboard a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight.

A Hero Honoured Beyond Borders! 🇮🇳 Heartiest congratulations to Captain Smit Machchhar and the flydubai crew on being conferred the prestigious First Class Order of Zayed II by UAE President H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The honours were presented by Crown Prince H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. A proud moment for Mumbai and the entire nation indeed! @captindiia #IndiaUAE #Bravery

— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 28, 2026

According to a statement issued by the Dubai Media Office on Tuesday, the medals were presented by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence. He commended the crew for their actions, sense of responsibility and commitment to passenger safety.

Captain Smit Machchhar’s Courage During the Mid-Air Attack

The incident took place on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people on board.
According to reports, Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot with a crash axe, an emergency tool kept in the cockpit. The assault seriously injured the Indian captain, while the aircraft plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to reach the cockpit door release mechanism, allowing passengers and crew members to overpower the co-pilot. Two additional flydubai pilots who were travelling on board subsequently helped bring the situation under control and land the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

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

UAE Recognises the Crew’s Commitment to Passenger Safety

The honour recognises the crew’s efforts to neutralise the cockpit attack, protect those on board and ensure the aircraft’s safe landing.

The crew members expressed their gratitude to the UAE President and their pride in receiving the distinction. The Dubai Media Office said the recognition reflected the President’s appreciation of the values of service, dedication and commitment.

The recognition of Captain Smit Machchhar and his fellow crew members highlights the critical role of courage, teamwork and decisive action in an aviation emergency, as their efforts helped protect more than 170 people during a dangerous in-flight incident.