Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Dubai, met with Captain Smit Machchhar on Saturday to express the United Arab Emirates’ appreciation for his bravery and leadership.
Captain Machchhar, an Indian national, prevented a catastrophic mid-air disaster when his co-pilot, Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, violently attacked and stabbed him inside the cockpit of a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flydubai flight.
Despite sustaining severe injuries during the altercation, Machchhar fought back and managed to unlock the cockpit door. His quick action enabled off-duty crew and passengers to enter, overpower the attacker, and secure the flight.
A second set of pilots aboard the aircraft assumed control and safely executed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where passenger-physicians provided immediate medical aid to Machchhar before he was hospitalised.
In a message posted on X following his personal visit with Machchhar, Sheikh Hamdan lauded the pilot’s fortitude and commitment to protecting those onboard:
During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life.
From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise.
We are proud that he is part of our… pic.twitter.com/QgpQxdcK5C
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) October 3, 2026
The UAE’s presidential adviser and civil aviation authorities have characterised the attack as a major security incident and potential terrorist act, commending Machchhar, his flight crew, and the passengers whose coordinated response brought the crisis under control.
Formal investigations by aviation authorities and public prosecutors are ongoing. Captain Machchhar continues to receive medical treatment in the UAE, with officials confirming his condition remains stable.
