Omani Co-Pilot Identified, Indian Pilot Recovers
Omani national Hamam al-Hammami was identified as the co-pilot involved in the cockpit attack, while Indian pilot Smit Machchhar is recovering.
Reports have identified the co-pilot as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen. Associated Press also identified him as an Omani national, though UAE authorities have not officially disclosed his name or nationality.
Meanwhile, Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured in the cockpit attack aboard a flydubai flight earlier this week, is “recovering well” at a hospital in Abu Dhabi, the Indian Embassy in the UAE said on Saturday.
“Indian braveheart Capt Smit remains under excellent medical care and is recovering well,” the embassy said in a social media post, adding that it was in touch with his family and local authorities and was extending support for his recovery.
The Indian Embassy thanked the UAE government for the medical care being provided to Machchhar and said it was closely monitoring his condition.
Machchhar was injured when the co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a crash axe in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling crew members and passengers to intervene. A reserve pilot and passengers subsequently helped stabilise the aircraft, which made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
UAE authorities have said the co-pilot attempted to take control of the aircraft and described the incident as an attempted terrorist act. Investigations are continuing into the circumstances, motive and possible links behind the attack.
