US House of Representatives passes resolution honouring Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar after heroic cockpit fight
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar. image courtesy: A widely shared social media picture.
New Delhi: Indian Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar, who was seriously injured while fighting off a cockpit attack on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, has been hailed for his courage in a new US House of Representatives resolution. The resolution describes how Machchhar helped prevent the hijacking attempt from turning into a major aviation disaster and commends him for protecting everyone aboard the aircraft.
Introduced by the United States representatives, Josh Gottheimer, Michael McCaul and Don Bacon, H Res 1612 honours Machchhar as well as the off-duty pilots, cabin crew and passengers who helped handling the situation. The resolution was introduced in the house of representatives on October 5 and referred to the house foreign affairs committee, according to the official text.
The US lawmakers’ recognition comes after the United Arab Emirates determined that the attack was an attempted terrorist act. The UAE attorney general announced the finding on October 3, while investigators continue to examine the circumstances of the attack, including the motive and other physical and digital evidence.
Flight FZ1073 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 with around 174 passengers when Omani first officer Hamam al-Hammami attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit with the aircraft’s emergency crash axe. The aircraft plunged more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds as the attacker attempted to take control.
Machchhar, despite suffering serious injuries, managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing help to reach him.
In a latest health update, the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi said captain Smit Machchhar is making steady progress and regaining his health after being seriously injured in the Flydubai cockpit attack. The embassy said it remains in close contact with his family, doctors and local authorities and is extending all possible assistance for his recovery.
He had earlier been shifted to Abu Dhabi for further treatment after receiving emergency medical care in Saudi Arabia. Reports following the attack said he suffered serious injuries, including wounds to his head, limbs, chest and upper abdomen.
The US resolution also calls for Saudi Arabia and the UAE to conduct a full and speedy investigation, with the United States and Israel kept informed. It wishes Machchhar and others injured in the incident a full recovery and recognizes the efforts of those who helped bring the aircraft and its passengers to safety.
