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Dubai Crown Prince Praises Indian Pilot for Heroism After Mid-Flight Attack
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CNBC TV18•03-10-2026, 21:08
Dubai Crown Prince Praises Indian Pilot for Heroism After Mid-Flight Attack
- •Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for his courage after he was stabbed by his co-pilot during a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- •Captain Machchhar, seriously injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot, Omani national Hamam al-Hammami.
- •The UAE Attorney General stated the co-pilot attempted a "terrorist act" using a crash axe to take control of the aircraft.
- •The flight, carrying 174 passengers, made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after transmitting distress signals and a rapid descent.
- •Machchhar is recovering well under medical care in Abu Dhabi, with the Indian Embassy in the UAE providing support and thanking the UAE government for his treatment.
Key Questions Answered
Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage in averting a tragedy during the flight to Tel Aviv.
The flight made an emergency landing after the co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, attacked Captain Machchhar with a crash axe in the cockpit and attempted a terrorist act.
Captain Machchhar is recovering well under medical care, having been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued treatment after receiving initial care in Tabuk.
