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Dubai Crown Prince Visits Injured Pilot After Midair Attack

Dubai Crown Prince Visits Injured Pilot After Midair Attack
Dubai Crown Prince Visits Captain Smit Machchhar, Says Brave Indian Pilot Embodies 'Highest Degrees Of Courage' · freepressjournal.in

Captain Smit Machchhar was flying a plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

His co-pilot allegedly attacked him while they were in the air.

The plane began to lose altitude, and Machchhar was badly injured.

He opened the cockpit door and alerted the passengers.

Passengers went inside and helped stop the attacker.

The plane then made an emergency landing, though reports differ on who landed it and where.

Machchhar is recovering in a hospital, and Dubai’s Crown Prince visited him to praise his bravery.

Investigators are still looking into why the attack happened.

Key facts

Captain
Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot
Visitor
Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai
Flight
flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv
Alleged attacker
Co-pilot Hamam Alhammami, an Omani national
People aboard
The first article says 172 passengers and crew were saved.
Landing
One article says off-duty pilots landed the plane; another reports an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Investigation
The UAE is leading an investigation, including whether the incident was linked to terrorist activity or purpose.
Recovery
The Indian Embassy in the UAE said Machchhar was responding well to treatment.

Quotes

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Crown Prince of Dubai

“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 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”
NDTV freepressjournal.in

Indian Embassy in the UAE

India’s diplomatic mission in the UAE

“Indian braveheart Capt. Smit remains under excellent medical care & is recovering well. We are in touch with his family & local authorities, extending support for a speedy recovery. Our thanks to the UAE gov. for their care. We join well-wishers in praying for his good health”
freepressjournal.in

Sources

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