Dubai: Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum personally visited Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar at a Dubai hospital on Monday, where the latter is being treated after sustaining serious injuries while thwarting an attempt by his co-pilot to crash a FlyDubai flight carrying 174 passengers.
Machchhar was seriously injured when the co-pilot attacked him mid-flight, but managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries, enabling other crew members to enter and bring the situation under control. His courage is credited with saving the lives of all passengers and crew aboard, and he has since received widespread praise around the world.
During the visit, the Crown Prince spoke with Machchhar for a short while before embracing him warmly. Sheikh Hamdan later took to social media to commend the pilot’s courage, stating: “On behalf of ourselves and the nation’s leadership, our full appreciation and admiration to him. We are proud that he is part of our team. He is also part of our country’s story. He has shown what the UAE stands for — compassion, peace, and valuing life.”
Photographs of the Crown Prince speaking with and embracing Machchhar have since gone viral on social media. The visit, which recognised the Indian pilot’s courage, has drawn widespread attention and admiration both in the UAE and internationally.