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Heroic Pilot Honored in UAE for Foiling Hijacking Attempt
The United Arab Emirates has awarded state honors to the crew of a Flydubai flight for preventing a hijacking attempt on a flight bound for Israel on September 30. The awards were presented by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, and attended by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, received the Order of Sheikh Zayed, First Class, while other crew members, including flight attendants John Muchina and another colleague, were also recognized.
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What happened
- 01The UAE honored Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar and his crew for foiling a hijacking attempt on a flight to Tel Aviv on September 30.
- 02The co-pilot, Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami, attacked Captain Machchhar with an axe in the cockpit during flight FZ1073.
- 03Investigators believe the attacker intended to crash the aircraft into Israel, specifically targeting Ben Gurion Airport.
- 04Despite severe head and arm injuries, Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the attacker.
- 05Two off-duty pilots on board took control of the aircraft and landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- 06Captain Machchhar was awarded the Order of Sheikh Zayed, First Class, by the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.
- 07According to NEWSru Israel, the UAE has been accused of downplaying the role of Israeli passengers who helped subdue the hijacker.
During flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the co-pilot, identified as Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami, attacked Captain Machchhar in the cockpit with an axe. Investigators believe the attacker intended to crash the aircraft into Israel, specifically targeting Ben Gurion Airport. Despite sustaining severe head and arm injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to enter and subdue the assailant.
Following the struggle, two additional off-duty pilots on board took control of the aircraft, which had lost significant altitude, and landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. According to NEWSru Israel, the UAE has faced criticism for downplaying the role of Israeli passengers who assisted in subduing the attacker during the incident.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: Kikar HaShabbat. Read Kikar HaShabbat’s originalThe coverage
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Heroic Pilot Honored in UAE for Foiling Hijacking Attempt