'Braveheart' flydubai pilot recovering well after cockpit axe attack, Indian embassy in UAE says

The Indian embassy in the United Arab Emirates has reported that a flydubai pilot who valiantly defended his aircraft during a cockpit attack is recovering well. Capt Smit Machchhar managed to free the cockpit door during the assault by his co-pilot, allowing other crew members and passengers to assist and prevent a potential disaster. The Boeing 737 eventually landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The Indian pilot, who was involved in the mid-air emergency on flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, is currently receiving top-notch medical care at a hospital in Abu Dhabi. The embassy in the UAE shared an update on their social media, expressing their support for Capt Machchhar's speedy recovery and keeping his family and local authorities informed.

In a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Capt Machchhar recounted his harrowing experience during the incident. Despite suffering numerous injuries, including bandages covering his head and hands, he emphasized that he acted to save lives. The attorney general of the UAE, Hamad Al Shamsi, disclosed that the attack was carried out by the co-pilot using a crash axe, which is typically stored in the cockpit for emergency situations.

The co-pilot's motive was believed to be a terrorist act, though the investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances, motives, and any potential links to the incident.