- Captain Smit Machchhar making steady recovery after flydubai attack.
- Indian Embassy in UAE providing full assistance to Machchhar.
- US Congress introduces resolution honoring pilot's extraordinary courage.
Dubai: Indian Captain Smit Machchhar is making "steady progress" and is "regaining his health", the Indian Embassy in the UAE said on Tuesday. On flydubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday, Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot, an Omani citizen, with a crash axe, typically kept in the cockpit for use in emergencies, seriously injuring him. The motive for the attack remains unclear.
"Capt Smit continues to make steady progress and is regaining his health. The Embassy remains in close touch with his family, doctors & local authorities, extending all possible assistance," the embassy posted on X. "We thank everyone for their prayers & wish him a speedy recovery," it said.
Health Update: Capt Smit continues to make steady progress and is regaining his health. The Embassy remains in close touch with his family, doctors & local authorities, extending all possible assistance. We thank everyone for their prayers & wish him a speedy recovery. https://t.co/Uh9h1F3rbW
— India in UAE (@IndembAbuDhabi) October 6, 2026
The flight, carrying 174 passengers, transmitted emergency signals and made a rapid descent of more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet. The captain was lying injured on the cockpit floor when he realised the plane was descending and decided to make "one last push" to open the cockpit door.
On October 1, India's ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, said that Machchhar was "in good health and recovering well". Mittal visited Captain Machchhar and his family at the hospital.
It is understood that Machchhar was shifted to the UAE a day after he was admitted to a hospital in Tabuk city in northwest Saudi Arabia to receive necessary medical attention.
Machchhar was covered with blood on the floor when he managed to click open the release on the cockpit door. Two reserve pilots landed the aircraft safely at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk city, where the co-pilot was taken into custody and Machchhar was taken to a nearby hospital before being airlifted to Abu Dhabi.
US Congress moves to honour Indian pilot
US House of Representatives introduces a resolution honouring Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who foiled the terrorist attack on flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. US Resolution to honor Indian pilot introduced by: Josh Gottheimer, Don Bacon, and Michael McCaul https://t.co/fKWSfcqVAD
— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2026
Meanwhile, the US Congress has moved to honour Machchhar for his bravery during Flydubai flight. A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced a House resolution recognising Machchhar, along with the crew and passengers who helped prevent a potentially catastrophic outcome.
The resolution, H. Res. 1612, was introduced on October 5 by New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer and referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Republicans Michael McCaul and Don Bacon are listed as co-sponsors. It praises Machchhar for his "extraordinary courage" and recognises the off-duty pilots, cabin crew and passengers who helped secure the cockpit.
The Boeing 737 was carrying 174 people when the first officer attacked Machchhar with an emergency crash axe, causing the aircraft to plunge more than 14,000 feet. Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar fought back and helped unlock the cockpit, allowing others to intervene. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely.
The US congressional recognition comes after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly praised Machchhar’s courage.
(With inputs from agencies)