NEW DELHI: Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot seriously injured in Wednesday's mid-air cockpit confrontation aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, has been airlifted from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi for further treatment.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the pilot had been shifted to Abu Dhabi for continued medical attention and recovery.
"Our Ambassador in the UAE met Captain Machchhar in hospital and enquired about his well being. Earlier, he also met his family and assured all possible support for the Captain’s health and well-being. Our Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate in Dubai are in close touch with the local authorities in the matter," the ministry said.
"We once again salute Captain Smit Machchhar’s valour and courage. We also convey our deep appreciation for the admiration and support he has received from across the world for his act of gallantry," it added.
The incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 unfolded on Wednesday as the Boeing 737 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 passengers on board. The aircraft issued emergency signals and plunged sharply in altitude before being diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Machchhar is in good health and recovering well, the Indian Embassy in the UAE said on Thursday after Ambassador Deepak Mittal met the pilot and his family at the hospital.
“Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well. The Embassy remains in close coordination with local authorities to ensure his continued medical care and well-being,” the embassy said.
Mittal said he found the pilot's morale to be high. “He was speaking openly, smiling and laughing, which was a great relief for us and, above all, for his family,” the ambassador said after meeting the pilot.
The ambassador added that Machchhar was receiving good treatment and that the Indian mission remained in close contact with UAE authorities.
The UAE has meanwhile ordered a special investigation into the incident, including whether the attack was linked to “any terrorist activity or purpose” or involved prior planning or direction.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has directed a specialised team from the Public Prosecution to investigate the incident.
The investigation will examine the circumstances and causes of the cockpit confrontation and determine whether it involved terrorist activity, a terrorist purpose, prior planning or external direction.
The probe is being conducted in coordination with the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority and other authorities.
flydubai has similarly said that the underlying reasons and motives remain unknown and are subject to a formal investigation.
“The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for,” a flydubai spokesperson said.
Machchhar’s actions have drawn praise from Indian and international leaders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the captain as a hero and said: “Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO. In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others.”
“His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machchhar. Praying for his speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health,” Modi said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the pilot's actions as a “tremendous act of heroism”.
In an interview with CBS News, Netanyahu said Machchhar had been seriously injured during the cockpit confrontation but managed to unlock the cockpit door while the aircraft was descending rapidly. “The pilot who was hit, bleeding profusely and fighting for his life, managed to unlock the cockpit door, but the plane was going into a nosedive,” he said.
