New Delhi, Oct 1: 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 to Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE, from Saudi Arabia for further treatment.
The Flydubai flight FZ1073 had 174 passengers on board. The aircraft issued emergency signals as it plunged by around 17,000 feet after Pilot Machchhar was stabbed by Co-Pilot in mid-air.
The plane was controlled by some passengers and other pilots travelling on the plane and it landed safely in Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
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.
“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,” External Affairs Ministry said in Delhi.
“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.
“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. (NVI)
