On 27th October (Tuesday), Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been honoured by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for his professionalism and bravery in preventing a possible 9/11 terror attack at the hands of Omani terrorist Hamam al-Hammami and saving hundreds of lives on 30th September. The Flydubai crew was also honoured alongside him.
رئيس الدولة يمنح طاقم طائرة "فلاي دبي" وسام زايد الثاني، تقديراً لشجاعتهم ودورهم في الحفاظ على سلامة الركاب في واقعة رحلة "فلاي دبي" يوم 30 من شهر سبتمبر الماضي، وحمدان بن محمد يقلد الأوسمة للطاقم ويشيد بدورهم ومستوى المسؤولية التي تحلوا بها في الحفاظ على سلامة المسافرين وأمنهم. https://t.co/60sqR6y4Wx
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) October 27, 2026
President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, conferred the First-Class Order of Zayed II on Machchhar and the crew of flydubai Flight FZ1073 at the presidential reception. The prestigious honour was presented by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Machchhar was spotted wearing an arm cast during the ceremony. The honour acknowledges their efforts to secure the aircraft and safeguard passengers during the volatile situation.
The recipients were welcomed by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister, vice president and ruler of Dubai. The leaders commended the crew’s courage, role, and high degree of responsibility in ensuring the safety of the passengers during the event. They emphasised that the country’s top priority and most important value is maintaining human safety and security.
#BREAKING: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan honours Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and fellow flydubai crew members with the First Class Order of Zayed II for their courageous efforts to ensure passenger safety during a September in-flight terror incident. The UAE recognises courage, professionalism and dedication. 🇦🇪🇮🇳
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) October 27, 2026
On 3rd October, Sheikh Hamdan visited the Indian captain in the hospital and lauded his act of valour. Last month, Machchhar saved at least 174 passengers and 6 crew members aboard a Tel Aviv-bound flight from a deliberate disaster by the Omani pilot, who first stabbed the Indian captain and then attempted to crash the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
The jet plunged about 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. However, the gravely injured Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to intervene, overpower Hamam and help avert a major tragedy.
The flight later made an emergency diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The Flydubai plane lost thousands of feet of altitude in under a minute before control was regained. Later, all passengers were flown to Israel, and both pilots were hospitalised.
