From Financialexpress · Dimple Singh · · 1m 40s
Dubai prince praises Indian pilot after flydubai attack
UAE prince commends Indian pilot for courage during cockpit attack.
In brief
UAE prince commends Indian pilot for courage during cockpit attack. UAE deputy prime minister praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for courage after co-pilot attacked him in cockpit during flydubai flight emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Originally reported by Financialexpress.
UAE deputy prime minister visits pilot
UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited injured Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar in hospital.
“During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life.”
Pilot praised for courage
Sheikh Hamdan described the Indian pilot as someone who showed courage, responsibility and care for human life.
“We are proud that he is part of our team… part of the story of our nation… and part of what the UAE stands for… a nation of compassion… a nation of peace… and a nation of life”
Indian embassy updates pilot's condition
Indian Embassy in UAE said pilot was recovering well under medical supervision.
“UPDATE: Indian braveheart Capt. Smit remains under excellent medical care & is recovering well”
PM Modi speaks to pilot
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar after the incident.
“We felt relieved seeing him on television yesterday and knowing that he is okay”
Family relieved after PM Modi interaction
Machchhar's family felt relieved after seeing him interact with PM Modi.
“Most of all, we felt relieved seeing him on television yesterday and knowing that he is okay”
Pilot's injuries and actions
Machchhar suffered injuries after co-pilot attacked him inside cockpit.
“He managed to open the cockpit door and helped passengers enter the cockpit”
Emergency landing details
Flydubai flight FZ1073 made emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia after incident.
“The aircraft dropped more than 16,000 feet during the most dramatic part of the descent”
Co-pilot attacked with crash axe
UAE prosecutor general said co-pilot attacked pilot with crash axe inside cockpit.
“The co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft”
Passengers helped stop attack
At least four passengers rushed to cockpit and helped restrain co-pilot.
“Two other passengers reportedly attacked and restrained him using earphone cables”
Two off-duty pilots landed plane
Two off-duty flydubai pilots took control after passengers subdued co-pilot.
“The plane eventually landed safely at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia”
Suspect identified as Omani national
Suspected attacker identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national.
“The co-pilot was al-Hammami, an Omani national”
UAE calls incident terrorist attack
UAE prosecutor general described incident as attempted terrorist attack.
“Investigations into the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073 found that the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist attack”
Investigation underway
UAE leading investigation into suspect's motive remains open.
“The investigation into the suspect’s motive remains open”
The key point
UAE deputy prime minister praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for courage after co-pilot attacked him in cockpit during flydubai flight emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
