Flydubai Attack: Dubai Crown Prince visits injured Indian pilot Smit Machchhar in hospital

Machchhar has received widespread appreciation for his actions during the incident, including opening the cockpit door despite being injured. The move reportedly helped save the lives of 174 people on board. The Omani pilot, identified by multiple media reports as Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft, according to UAE officials.

Praising the Indian pilot for his bravery, the Crown Prince wrote on X: "During a visit to Captain Smit Machchhar… the flydubai pilot who embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life."

"From us, and from the leadership of the nation, he has our full appreciation and praise," he added.

"We are proud that he is part of our team… part of the story of our nation… and part of what the UAE stands for… a nation of compassion… a nation of peace… and a nation of life," the Crown Prince wrote.

In photographs shared on social media, the Crown Prince could be seen embracing Machchhar and speaking with him during the hospital visit.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video call with Machchhar and praised the Indian pilot for his bravery during the incident.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has described the alleged attack on Machchhar, the Indian captain of Flydubai flight FZ1073, as a "terrorist act".

UAE Attorney General Counsellor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the Omani pilot began carrying out his plan during the flight, attacking the captain inside the cockpit with a crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft, state news agency WAM reported.

Al Shamsi said investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances and motives behind the incident, as well as any possible links.