Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who suffered severe injuries while helping prevent an apparent attempt to crash a Flydubai aircraft last month, is recovering well and responding positively to treatment, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday. Machchhar remains under medical care at a hospital in Abu Dhabi following surgery.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Embassy in the UAE has remained in regular contact with Machchhar’s family, doctors, hospital authorities and local officials. “According to the information available to us, his health is improving. He is in the stage of recuperation after the operation and is responding well,” Jaiswal said during his weekly media briefing.

Pilot Continues Recovery After Surgery

The update comes about a week after the incident aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 passengers and crew members. Machchhar was seriously injured during an alleged attack by his co-pilot, Omani national Hamam al-Hammami.

According to accounts of the incident, Machchhar suffered serious injuries to his head and hands after being attacked inside the cockpit. Despite being badly wounded, he managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers to enter and overpower the co-pilot.

The aircraft subsequently issued emergency signals and was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after experiencing sharp descents during the struggle inside the cockpit. Reports said the aircraft lost more than 16,000 feet in just over 30 seconds during one of the dives before it was stabilised.

Two off-duty Flydubai pilots travelling as passengers later assisted the crew and helped bring the aircraft safely to the ground in Tabuk.

‘I Was Not Going To Let Others Die’

Machchhar was initially treated in Saudi Arabia before being airlifted to the UAE for further medical care. In a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he recalled the moments when he was fighting to survive while also trying to prevent the situation from escalating.

“I was of course fighting for my own life, but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die,” Machchhar told Modi.

He later recounted the incident to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that his vision had been severely affected by his injuries but that he made a final effort to reach the cockpit door.

“I thought I am going to die… I gave everything that I had and just went for the door and opened,” Machchhar said.

His actions have drawn praise in India and Israel, with officials and passengers crediting him with helping avert a potentially catastrophic outcome aboard the aircraft.

Investigation Into Cockpit Attack Underway

The United Arab Emirates is leading the investigation into the incident, while Saudi authorities conducted the initial inquiry after the aircraft made its emergency landing in Tabuk. Israeli authorities have also indicated that they could participate in the investigation.

Investigators are examining the sequence of events inside the cockpit, including the circumstances of the attack and the weapon allegedly used against Machchhar. They are also assessing the aircraft’s rapid loss of altitude and how the crew and passengers managed to regain control.

The investigation is also expected to examine aviation security and screening procedures surrounding the co-pilot, including how he was permitted to operate a passenger flight to Israel.

For now, Machchhar remains in Abu Dhabi under medical supervision. The latest update from the MEA indicates that he is recovering following surgery and responding well to treatment.

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