UAE honours flydubai crew over response to mid-air cockpit attack
publishers 15articles 16first reported 27 Oct, 18:43 UTCdeveloping since 28 Oct · 5 editions
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II to Captain Smit Machchhar and other crew members of flydubai Flight 1073 for their response to a cockpit attack on September 30.
Sheikh Mohamed received the crew at a council attended by senior UAE leaders, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, presented the honours and praised the crew’s courage and responsibility in protecting passengers.
The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight descended 17,000 feet in less than a minute after the first officer allegedly attacked Machchhar with an axe and seized control of the Boeing 737. Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar opened the cockpit door, enabling crew members and passengers to restrain the co-pilot and regain control of the aircraft.
According to UAE prosecutors, the 29-year-old Omani co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion International Airport in a terrorist plot designed to cause mass casualties. Prosecutors said he confessed that he had been inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks and had pursued an aviation career to carry out such an operation.
The crew thanked the UAE president and expressed pride in receiving the award. Sheikh Hamdan had previously visited Machchhar while he was being treated for his injuries on October 3.
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