US House resolution honours flydubai Flight 1073 pilot, crew and passengers

A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has introduced House Resolution 1612 to honour Captain Smit Machchhar, the crew and the passengers of flydubai Flight 1073 after the September 30 incident. New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer introduced the resolution, which was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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What the resolution recognises

H. Res. 1612 praises Machchhar for his “extraordinary courage”. It also honours the off-duty pilots, cabin crew and passengers who helped secure the cockpit and land the aircraft safely. Republicans Michael McCaul and Don Bacon are listed as co-sponsors.

How the incident unfolded

According to the source, the first officer attacked Machchhar in the cockpit with an emergency crash axe. The aircraft plunged more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Despite serious injuries, Machchhar fought back and unlocked the cockpit door. Off-duty pilots, passengers and crew then helped restrain the first officer.

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The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Flight 1073 was carrying 174 people, including 27 children and four US citizens. Everyone on board was accounted for.

Investigations continue

The UAE Attorney General later said the investigation concluded that the first officer had attempted to carry out a terrorist act. Multiple sources identified the alleged attacker as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, although authorities had not publicly confirmed all details of his identity.

Investigators are examining his identity, movements, training, possible extremist links and whether anyone else assisted in the plot. New Zealand Police said he completed part of his flight training in New Zealand between November 2018 and May 2019. Australian counterterrorism authorities are also examining possible links to Australia.

Public praise and unestablished claims

Laura Loomer described Machchhar as a “brave hero” and said “these heroes” should be invited to the G20. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machchhar’s actions. CBS News separately reported claims that the alleged attacker had planned the operation before joining flydubai and intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport. Those claims have not been independently established.