Flydubai Pilots Honored for Heroism After Foiled Terror Attack

By Вести-Ynet

Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba

CommunityCharged tone

Russian · 6 newsrooms covering

Two Flydubai pilots, Hanson Steven and Rowan Toth, have been honored for their heroism after safely landing a flight following a terror attack by a co-pilot. The incident occurred on September 30, 2026, when the co-pilot attacked the commander and attempted to crash the plane. Passengers intervened, and Steven and Toth, who were traveling as passengers, took control and landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia. The crew received the UAE's Order of Zayed II for their bravery.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Flydubai pilots Hanson Steven and Rowan Toth were honored for landing a plane after a co-pilot's terror attack.
The incident on September 30, 2026, involved an attempted crash into Ben Gurion Airport.
Passengers subdued the attacker after the commander opened the cockpit door.
The crew received the UAE's Order of Zayed II for their courage and heroism.
Commander Smith Macchhar sustained severe injuries during the attack.

Flydubai Pilots Honored for Heroism After Foiled Terror Attack — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

A month after a foiled terror attempt on a Flydubai flight, the identities of the two pilots who safely landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia have been revealed. Hanson Steven from Fiji and Rowan Toth from South Africa were recognized for their bravery. The pilots, along with flight commander Smith Macchhar, were awarded the Order of Zayed II, the UAE's second-highest civilian honor, on October 27. The award was presented by Dubai's Crown Prince, Hamdan bin Muhammad.

On September 30, 2026, during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the second pilot, 29-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Khamami, attacked the flight commander, Smith Macchhar, striking him multiple times with an emergency axe. The attacker reportedly intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport, mirroring the September 11, 2001 attacks. The aircraft lost approximately 4,300 meters of altitude in less than 30 seconds.

Despite severe injuries, bleeding, and impaired vision, Commander Macchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene. Israeli passengers subdued and restrained the assailant using headphone wires. Steven and Toth, who were passengers on the flight before their return leg, took control of the aircraft. They successfully landed the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, even though part of the tail broke off during the rapid descent.

Hanson Steven previously worked for Fiji Airways. Rowan Toth, identified by South African media, hails from Kimberley and previously flew for Airlink before joining Flydubai in 2023. His late father, Barry Toth, was a notable South African cricketer.

Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, praised the crew's "courage, heroism, and composure" in protecting lives, calling their act a "noble feat" that underscores the "highest duty and greatest contribution" of safeguarding human life. At the ceremony, Macchhar, still visibly injured with bandages on his head and arm, was noted for his resilience. UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed reportedly inquired about his recovery and jokingly offered to teach him to fight, an offer Macchhar accepted with honor.