Brave Flydubai Pilot, Crew Honoured For Saving 170 Lives
Princess-Ekwi Ajide
A wounded pilot who fought to save his passengers during a mid-air attack has received one of the United Arab Emirates’ prestigious honours alongside his crew.
Captain Smit Machchhar and his flydubai crew were awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II for their bravery during flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
According to the account, Machchhar was attacked and seriously injured by his co-pilot inside the cockpit.
Despite his injuries, he managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling cabin crew and passengers to enter and overpower the attacker.
The aircraft subsequently made a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, saving more than 170 people on board.
The UAE’s recognition celebrates the captain’s courage and the crew’s quick response in a crisis that could have ended in tragedy.
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