DUBAI, UAE – His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, visited flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar in hospital on Saturday and praised his courage and sense of responsibility during the serious incident involving flight FZ1073.
Sheikh Hamdan paid tribute to Captain Machchhar for demonstrating exceptional courage and for putting human life and safety at the forefront during the incident.
“In a message following the visit, Sheikh Hamdan said Captain Machchhar had shown a high level of courage, responsibility and care for human life. He also conveyed the appreciation and praise of the UAE leadership.“
Sheikh Hamdan described Captain Machchhar as part of the UAE team and said his actions reflected values associated with the country, including compassion, peace and respect for human life.
Captain Machchhar was injured during the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073. The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a serious security incident occurred in the cockpit on September 30. The aircraft was subsequently diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has confirmed that Captain Machchhar has since returned safely to the UAE and is in good condition while receiving the necessary medical treatment. The authority also praised the captain, the flight crew and passengers whose actions helped bring the situation under control.
The GCAA said an investigation into the circumstances of the incident is continuing under a team formed from members of the Public Prosecution following an order by the UAE Attorney-General. Relevant authorities are coordinating with regional and international bodies as part of the investigation.
The aviation authority has also urged the public to depend on official sources and avoid circulating speculation or unverified information while the investigation is underway. It said further findings and developments will be announced through official channels once the necessary procedures are completed.
The hospital visit by Sheikh Hamdan comes as Captain Machchhar continues his recovery in the UAE and receives widespread recognition for his actions during the flight incident.
Earlier, India’s Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, also visited Captain Machchhar and his family at the hospital. The ambassador said the captain was in stable condition and recovering well.
