Stories
Indian Diaspora In Dubai Hails Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar's Heroism
- •Captain Smit Machchhar was honoured by the Indian diaspora in Dubai at an event marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years in public life.
- •Speakers praised Machchhar for his split-second decision-making that saved over 170 passengers and crew members during a recent Flydubai emergency.
- •Machchhar is currently recovering at a military facility in Dubai after being seriously injured in an axe attack by co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami.
- •The attack occurred on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, leading to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia and a multi-country investigation.
- •Passengers also intervened during the incident after the aircraft plunged sharply, losing around 17,000 feet in about a minute.
Key Questions Answered
The co-pilot attacked captain Smit Machchhar with an axe inside the cockpit at 34,000 feet, causing the aircraft to plunge sharply. Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door so passengers and off-duty pilots could intervene, and the flight was safely diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Even while seriously injured and bleeding, Machchhar realized the aircraft was descending rapidly and forced himself to reach and open the cockpit door. This enabled passengers and crew members to enter the cockpit, overpower the attacker, and safely divert the plane.
Hamam al-Hammami is an Omani co-pilot born in the UAE with mixed heritage, including a Syrian mother, who launched the axe attack on Captain Machchhar. Investigations revealed he spent significant periods outside Oman, including staying in war-torn Syria and studying in Australia, alongside a brief stint with Royal Air Maroc.
