UAE honors flydubai captain who helped stop attempted suicide attack on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II to flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar and other crew members involved in stopping an attempted terrorist attack on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight last month.

The crew were honored for what the UAE presidency described as their courage and professionalism in protecting passengers and securing the aircraft.

Machchhar was seriously wounded on Sept. 30 when his Omani co-pilot attacked him inside the cockpit with a crash axe during flydubai Flight FZ1073.

UAE investigators later said the co-pilot had begun carrying out a premeditated terrorist plot to seize control of the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to release the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to enter and overpower the attacker.

Two additional flydubai pilots who were traveling on board then took control of the aircraft and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The UAE presidency said protecting the safety and security of people remains a top national priority and praised the crew for preventing a potentially catastrophic loss of life.

The awards were presented on behalf of the president by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE defense minister.