Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who thwarted a suspected terrorist attack aboard a flydubai flight last week, will receive Israel’s highest civilian award for bravery. President Isaac Herzog presented the Presidential Award for Civil Heroism during a Jerusalem ceremony, where he also honored six Israeli passengers for their role in stopping the incident.
The incident unfolded on flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when the co-pilot allegedly wielded a crash axe against Machchhar inside the cockpit. The aircraft dropped 17,000 feet in an emergency before landing safely in Saudi Arabia. The UAE later confirmed the attack was an attempted terrorist act.
Machchhar, an Indian national, suffered severe injuries but is now recovering in Abu Dhabi. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported his condition is stable, with officials maintaining contact with his family and medical team. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously called Machchhar to commend his actions and invited him to attend Israel’s Independence Day ceremony alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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The ceremony highlighted the bravery of six passengers—Tali Manes, Zvika Manes, Yaniv Hayoun, Dr. Shota Musayev, Asaf Rajuan, and Or Pardilov, who helped subdue the attacker and stabilize the flight. Tali Manes was the first to sound the alarm, while the others physically restrained the assailant. Dr. Musayev, a medical professional, provided emergency treatment to Machchhar aboard the plane.
Herzog described their actions as extraordinary, noting they saved 174 lives. He also acknowledged the replacement pilots who regained control after the incident, stressing that a thorough investigation into the attack remains essential. “The civilian bravery and resourcefulness demonstrated by the heroes gathered here cannot absolve us of the obligation to obtain full answers,” he said.
The award follows Herzog’s creation of the Presidential Medal for Civilian Heroism in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led assault, recognizing civilians who risk their lives to protect others. Machchhar’s recognition marks the first time an Indian pilot has been honored, demonstrating the global reach of the incident’s consequences.