Injured Fly Dubai Pilot Honored for Saving Passengers
Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba
Fly Dubai Captain Smit Machchhar was honored in the UAE for saving passengers after being attacked by his co-pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. Machchhar sustained severe injuries but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker. A second crew member landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. Investigators believe the co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft into Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Fly Dubai Captain Smit Machchhar was honored in the UAE for saving passengers from his co-pilot's attack.
- The co-pilot attacked Captain Machchhar with an axe on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
- Machchhar, despite severe injuries, opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overpower the assailant.
- A second crew member landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Investigators believe the co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft into Israel.
Captain Smit Machchhar of Fly Dubai, who was severely injured during an attack by his co-pilot, has been honored in the United Arab Emirates for his heroic actions. During the ceremony, Machchhar, an Indian national, wore a sling on his bandaged left arm and hand, with his hair visibly shorter at the back, indicating recent healing from head injuries. Photos from early October had shown him with a head bandage. The local news outlet Gulf News published a photo of Machchhar being embraced by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The rest of the flight crew was also recognized for their bravery in ensuring passenger safety.
The incident occurred on September 30 on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Machchhar was attacked with an axe by his co-pilot in the cockpit. Despite his serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing several passengers to enter and subdue the assailant. A second, off-duty crew member who happened to be on board then safely landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after it had lost significant altitude.
Machchhar recounted the events in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, "I was fighting for my own life at that moment, but I also knew that I could not let so many other people die." He received medical treatment in the UAE, where the co-pilot, from Oman, was also taken after his arrest. Investigators believe the co-pilot intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
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