'Captain Smit Machchhar making steady progress’: Indian embassy gives health update on flydubai hero

Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar is making “steady progress” and is “regaining his health”, the Indian Embassy in United Arab Emirates said on Tuesday. Machchhar, who was attacked by his Omani co-pilot on Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was able to open the cockpit door of the aircraft to let passengers in.In an update last week, India’s ambassador to the UAE had said that Machchhar was recovering well and “smiling, laughing, chatting” at the hospital in Abu Dhabi. (X/ @IndembAbuDhabi)The passengers then restrained the co-pilot and a dentist gave Machchhar medical assistance. A second set of pilots took control and the flight, which had 174 passengers onboard, landed safely in Saudi Arabia's Tabuk. Machchhar, who was seriously wounded in the attack, was shifted to Abu Dhabi in UAE for further treatment.In an update last week, India’s ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, had said that Machchhar was recovering well and “smiling, laughing, chatting” at the hospital in Abu Dhabi. Mittal met Machchhar and his family at the hospital and said the pilot was in a stable condition and receiving good medical care.Dubai Crown Prince's visit to MachchharDubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the deputy Prime Minister of UAE, called on the Indian pilot on October 3 and praised his “courage and responsibility”.Al Maktoum said Machchhar had “embodied high degrees of courage”, and conveyed the UAE leadership's “appreciation” to the Indian pilot.“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 said in a post on X.