New Delhi: The Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, on Saturday praised the Indian captain of the Flydubai flight that was attacked mid-air, saying Smit Machchhar had shown “great physical and mental resolve”. Speaking at the IAF’s annual press conference, Singh called his actions “exceptionally brave” and “a lesson for us”.
Machchhar was the captain of the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on which, according to reports, the co-pilot attacked him in the cockpit.
Machchhar was injured when his co-pilot attacked him inside the cockpit of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on September 30. Despite his injuries, he managed to reach and open the cockpit door as the aircraft went into a rapid descent, allowing others to enter and help overpower the attacker before the flight was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. When asked about the incident, ACM Singh said India is proud of Machchhar and that every citizen could take pride in his courage.
Drawing a distinction between the Flydubai incident and the IAF, ACM Singh said, such situations have limited relevance in the force because its personnel operate closely with one another, regularly fly together and often know each other personally. “We are much more closer to each other, we operate so often, we meet so often, we recognize somebody going out of the line,” he said.
Earlier, Machchhar had told the prime minister, Narendra Modi, during a video call from his hospital bed that he realized the aircraft was going down and knew he had to make one final effort despite his injuries. He said his 17 years of flying experience, including 11 years as a captain, helped him understand what was happening to the aircraft and pushed him to reach the cockpit door.
In the latest developments, UAE prosecutor general, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said an investigation found that the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a “terrorist attack” with an axe. Reuters noted, citing sources familiar with the investigation, that the co-pilot was identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, although UAE authorities had not immediately confirmed his identity.
The Indian pilot’s actions have also drawn praise in the UAE. The deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, visited Machchhar at the hospital on Saturday and praised him for his courage, responsibility and care for human life.
Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in the UAE said Machchhar remains under excellent medical care and is recovering well. The embassy said it is in touch with his family and local authorities and thanked the UAE government for the care being provided to the Indian pilot.