US House Honours Smit Machchhar, Calls Flydubai Attack An ‘Act Of Terrorism’

The US House of Representatives has honoured Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary courage during the attack on Flydubai Flight 1073, while condemning the incident as an “act of terrorism” and calling for a full investigation by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

A bipartisan resolution introduced on Monday (October 5) by Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer and backed by Republican lawmakers Michael McCaul and Don Bacon seeks to recognise Machchhar, along with the crew and passengers who helped bring the aircraft to safety. The measure has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The attack took place on September 30, when the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was carrying around 174 passengers. According to the resolution, the first officer attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit with the aircraft’s emergency crash axe before attempting to take control of the plane. The aircraft lost more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.

Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing off-duty pilots to enter. Cabin crew and passengers then helped restrain the attacker, while another passenger took control of the aircraft until a third pilot could take over. The plane was later diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

The House resolution praised Machchhar for his “extraordinary courage in protecting every soul aboard his aircraft” and commended the off-duty pilots, cabin crew and passengers for their actions. It also called for Machchhar and the other injured people to make a full recovery.

The resolution explicitly condemns the attack as “an act of terrorism” and an attack on the safety of international civil aviation. It calls on Saudi Arabia and the UAE to conduct a “full and expeditious investigation” and asks that the United States and Israel be kept fully informed.

The measure comes as fresh details emerge about how Machchhar survived his injuries during the flight. Israeli dentist Dr Shuta Musaev, who was travelling on the aircraft, said he spent around 45 minutes treating the captain after the attack.

Musaev told ABC News that Machchhar had suffered deep wounds to his head, neck and hands and was losing a significant amount of blood. He used T-shirts as makeshift dressings and repeatedly applied pressure to the wounds while passengers brought ice packs.

At one point, Machchhar’s pulse dropped dangerously low and his lips turned blue. Musaev said he raised the pilot’s feet, after which his pulse returned, and repeatedly urged the crew to land as quickly as possible.

The dentist said Machchhar repeatedly asked for help and feared he would die. Musaev kept him awake by talking to him about his family and reassuring him that he would return home.

The UAE Attorney General said on October 3 that an Emirati investigation had determined that the first officer had attempted to carry out a terrorist act.

Machchhar remains under medical care in the UAE and is making steady progress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised him as a hero, while the Federation of Indian Pilots has sought an appropriate national bravery award for his actions.