Flydubai Pilots Awarded for Handling Mid-Flight Attack
Flydubai pilots Rowan Tooth and Henson Steven were honored in the United Arab Emirates for their bravery in safely landing a flight after the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe. The awards ceremony included recognition of Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured during the incident. The UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II to the crew, praising their actions in preventing a potential disaster on the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on September 30, 2026. The incident involved a violent attack by the co-pilot against Captain Machchhar mid-flight, which was thwarted by the intervention of off-duty pilots Rowan Tooth and Henson Steven.
The pilots' quick response ensured the safe landing of the aircraft. Following the event, President Sheikh Mohamed met with Captain Machchhar and offered support, including a lighthearted offer of jiu-jitsu training. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority also announced a civilian bravery award in recognition of the crew's heroism.
