Josh Gottheimer

Synopsis

US Congressman Josh Gottheimer has introduced a House resolution honouring Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for helping prevent an alleged cockpit takeover aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073. The resolution also commends off-duty pilots, crew and passengers, condemns the incident as terrorism and calls for investigations by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

US Congressman Josh Gottheimer has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives honouring Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for his actions in preventing an alleged attempt to take control of a flydubai aircraft bound for Tel Aviv, saying his courage helped protect all 174 people aboard the flight.

The Democratic lawmaker from New Jersey also praised the off-duty pilots, cabin crew and passengers who helped secure the cockpit and enabled the aircraft to land safely after Machchhar was seriously injured during the alleged attack.

Also read: 'We had no idea if he would survive. We started crying a lot’: Smit Machchhar’s family recalls agonising wait on September 30

The resolution, introduced on Monday, describes the incident involving flydubai Flight FZ1073 as an act of terrorism and an attack on the safety of international civil aviation. It calls for Saudi Arabia and the UAE to conduct a full and prompt investigation, while urging that the US and Israel be kept informed of the findings.

Machchhar injured as co-pilot allegedly attacks him

Machchhar was flying the Dubai-Tel Aviv route on Wednesday when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit with a crash axe. The aircraft was subsequently forced to descend rapidly after transmitting emergency signals.

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The co-pilot has been identified in reports by multiple news organisations, including The Wall Street Journal and CNN, as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. The reports said al-Hammami had earlier been barred from flying in Oman over concerns surrounding his radical ideological views, citing people familiar with the matter.

The motive behind the alleged attack remains unclear.

According to the resolution, Machchhar was seriously injured and ended up on the cockpit floor as the aircraft descended from about 34,000 feet. He eventually managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and help overpower the attacker.

Also read: Smit Machchhar’s journey: From ‘why become a pilot?’ to ‘Captain, you are a hero’

Off-duty pilots help bring plane down safely

The aircraft, carrying 174 passengers, descended more than 17,000 feet before the emergency was brought under control. Two reserve pilots then took over the flight and landed it safely at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Al-Hammami was taken into custody after the landing, while Machchhar was taken to a nearby hospital and later airlifted to Abu Dhabi for further treatment.

Gottheimer's resolution specifically recognises the combined actions of Machchhar, the off-duty pilots, cabin crew and passengers, crediting them with preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome and ensuring the aircraft was brought safely to the ground.

(With inputs from PTI)

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