FlyDubai pilot Smit Machchhar, who fought off his co-pilot during a suspected terror attack mid-flight, has spoken out about the scars he has been left with. Machchhar was savagely attacked with an emergency axe as Hamam al-Hammami attempted to take control of the Tel Aviv-bound flight.
Bravery Award from UAE President
Machchhar has since been awarded the United Arab Emirates' First Class Order of Zayed II on Wednesday by Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE president, to recognise his bravery in thwarting the September 30th attack. The president appeared in person to give the award, and the pilot was seen still with scars from the incident. Surgical scars with stitches could be seen along the back of his partly-shaved head, and his left arm was in a sling as he collected his award.
Machchhar fought off the co-pilot in the attack and managed to open the cockpit door so other passengers could help, despite being wounded himself. Passengers and crew members were then able to regain control of the aircraft, which had plummeted 14,000ft in less than 30 seconds, and safely land it.
President's Personal Visit
On Wednesday, Mr Al Nahyan embraced the pilot and inspected his stitches, asking him if he was starting to feel better. The president asked if he would fly again, and even jokingly offered to help teach him to fly again, to which Machchhar responded: "It is my biggest honour."
His fellow crew members also received the bravery medals and were commended for their actions and sense of responsibility in helping to regain control of the plane following the terrifying ordeal.
Investigation and Confession
It is reported that the attacker, Hammammi, an Omani national, has confessed it was him to investigators, and has given a "detailed confession". Investigations are still ongoing into exactly the turn of events, but it has been reported how Hammammi had attended a remote aviation course at Buckinghamshire Open University in the UK before studying in Australia.
Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, the UAE attorney-general, said Hammami had became acquainted with people linked to MyCentre, an Islamic centre where "signs of his drift towards extremism and terrorism first emerged", during his time in Melbourne in 2017. "During that period, he was influenced by Takfiri ideology through reading extremist literature and following online content glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks," said Mr Al Shamsi.
"This influence subsequently developed into the adoption of ideas advocating violence and terrorism." It is said Hammami drew inspiration from the 9/11 attacks and had the idea of carrying out a similar operation using an aircraft but acted alone in the incident and had allegedly planned to crash the flight into a terminal at Ben Gurion airport.
