UAE awards Indian pilot and flydubai crew for thwarting mid‑air attack

The UAE's president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, granted the First Class Order of Zayed II to Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and the flydubai crew after they stopped a violent cockpit takeover on a Dubai‑Tel Aviv flight. The medals were handed over by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who also serves as deputy prime minister and defence minister, during a presidential reception on October 27. The incident unfolded on September 30 aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX carrying 174 people, most of them Israeli travelers. An Omani‑national co‑pilot, identified by Israeli authorities as Hamam al‑Hammami, brandished a crash axe and stabbed Captain Machchhar, sending the aircraft down nearly 14,000 feet in under half a minute. Despite severe bleeding, Machchhar summoned his remaining strength to open the cockpit door release. Passengers and other crew members then wrested control of the cabin, overpowered the attacker and helped two additional pilots on board guide the plane to a safe landing at Tabuk in north‑west Saudi Arabia. The Omani co‑pilot was detained by Saudi authorities, while Machchhar received initial medical care in Tabuk before being moved to a hospital in Abu Dhabi for further treatment. At the ceremony, officials including Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum praised the crew’s bravery and sense of duty.

Context

The First Class Order of Zayed II is one of the UAE’s highest civilian honors, given for distinguished service, courage and contributions to international ties. Awarding it to the crew highlights the country’s emphasis on aviation safety and recognition of heroic actions in crisis situations.