Archive · 7 Oct 2026
US House Resolution Honours Pilot After Flydubai Flight Attack
A pilot named Smit Machchhar was badly hurt during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The first officer allegedly attacked him and tried to take control of the plane.
Even though he was injured, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door.
Off-duty pilots, crew members, and passengers then helped stop the first officer.
The plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
About 174 people were aboard.
US lawmakers introduced a resolution to honour Machchhar and the people who helped.
The resolution calls the attack terrorism and asks Saudi Arabia and the UAE to investigate.
Reports say Machchhar is making steady progress in his recovery.
House Resolution 1612, introduced by Josh Gottheimer with co-sponsors Michael McCaul and Don Bacon, seeks to honour Captain Smit Machchhar and others who helped during the incident.
Flydubai Flight 1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 with about 174 people aboard, including 27 children and four US citizens.
The resolution says the first officer attacked Machchhar with an emergency crash axe and tried to seize control; reports name him as Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami, though his identity has not been fully confirmed publicly.
Despite serious injuries, Machchhar unlocked the cockpit door, allowing off-duty pilots to enter while crew members and passengers helped restrain the first officer.
The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; the resolution condemns the attack as terrorism and calls for investigations by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with the US and Israel kept informed.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, the crew and passengers of Flydubai Flight 1073, and US lawmakers including Josh Gottheimer.
- What
- House Resolution 1612 seeks to honour Machchhar and others who helped stop an alleged attempt to seize control of the aircraft.
- When
- The flight was on September 30; the resolution was introduced on October 5, according to the articles.
- Where
- The flight travelled from Dubai to Tel Aviv and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The resolution recognizes the actions of Machchhar and others during the incident and calls for investigations.
Resolution and official account
Unconfirmed or under-investigation claims
Nature of the incident
Resolution and official account
The resolution condemns the attack as terrorism, and the UAE attorney general said an Emirati investigation determined that the first officer attempted a terrorist act.
Unconfirmed or under-investigation claims
Some reported details about the alleged plan and its motive remain under examination; the articles say the motive is unclear and that claims about advance planning have not been established.
First officer's identity and background
Resolution and official account
Reports identify the first officer as Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami and describe concerns about his background.
Unconfirmed or under-investigation claims
One article says officials have not publicly confirmed every aspect of his identity, and reported concerns about his background and possible connections remain under investigation.
- Resolution
- House Resolution 1612
- Lead sponsor
- Representative Josh Gottheimer
- Co-sponsors
- Representatives Michael McCaul and Don Bacon
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight 1073, also referred to as FZ1073
- People aboard
- Approximately 174, including 27 children and four US citizens, according to the resolution
- Landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; the resolution says all passengers and crew were accounted for
- Resolution status
- Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs
- Requested action
- Saudi Arabia and the UAE are urged to investigate, with the United States and Israel kept informed
Sources
Resolution Honouring Captain Smit Machchhar Introduced In US House Of Representatives
US lawmakers move to honour Indian pilot Smit Machchhar with a resolution
US lawmaker honours Indian pilot Smit Machchhar with House resolution after flight attack
US House bill honours Indian pilot Smit Machchhar after his brave actions thwarted flydubai terror attack
