{
  "id": 17026248,
  "title": "President Sheikh Mohamed offers to teach flydubai hero Smit Machchhar some jiu-jitsu moves",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/president-sheikh-mohamed-offers-to-teach-flydubai-hero-smit-machchhar",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T07:19:13.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/29/president-sheikh-mohamed-offers-to-teach-flydubai-hero-smit-machchhar-some-jiu-jitsu-moves/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Sheikh Mohamed of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offered to teach Indian flight hero Smit Machchhar some jiu-jitsu moves following the pilot's harrowing ordeal on a flydubai flight. The incident occurred when Machchhar's co-pilot attacked him with an axe during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, causing the plane to plummet 17,000 feet. The crew managed to subdue the assailant, and the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia. During a visit to Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed warmly embraced Machchhar, asked about his recovery, and joked about providing jiu-jitsu training once he had healed. Machchhar, who sustained head injuries and was wearing a sling, informed the UAE leader that his recovery would take approximately two months. Sheikh Mohamed also conferred the First Class Order of Zayed II on the entire flydubai crew, praising their bravery and commitment to passenger safety. The investigation revealed that the co-pilot was inspired by the 9/11 attacks and had planned a terrorist plot to crash the plane into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport. However, the crew's swift action helped prevent a catastrophe and ensured the safety of over 170 passengers.",
  "summary": "President Sheikh Mohamed has delivered a heartfelt message of support to hero flydubai pilot Capt Smit Machchhar and his courageous crew, telling them they will always be part of the “UAE family”. Sheikh Mohamed warmly embraced the Indian aviator and inquired about his recovery in a good-humoured exchange during an event held in Abu Dhabi, in which he jokingly offered to supply with him jiu-jitsu…",
  "key_points": [
    "UAE President offers to teach Smit Machchhar jiu-jitsu.",
    "Machchhar sustained head injuries in axe attack incident.",
    "UAE crew receives bravery commendation for preventing disaster."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "UAE president says ‘I want to train you how to fight’ to Smit Machchhar, inspects his stitches",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/uae-president-says-i-want-to-train-you-how-to-fight-to-smit-machchhar",
        "published": "2026-10-29T02:16:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘When will you heal?’: UAE President offers combat training to flydubai pilot Smit Machchar",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/when-will-you-heal-uae-president-offers-combat-training-to-flydubai",
        "published": "2026-10-29T04:37:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}