Identities of FlyDubai pilots who landed hijacked plane revealed after captain attacked during ordeal
Off-duty pilots take control
Henson Steven, from Fiji, and South Africa’s Rowan Tooth were aboard the aircraft to pilot its return flight. After Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked in the cockpit, they took control and brought the plane down safely in Saudi Arabia.
The suspect, Machchhar’s co-pilot, was overwhelmed by passengers. Steven had previously worked for Fiji Airways, while Tooth worked for South African airline Airlink until 2023, according to the report.
Captain attacked in cockpit
Machchhar described pulling the assailant out and then helping control the plane. “I pulled up the yoke,” he said, describing how he straightened the aircraft.
UAE honours flight crew
The UAE government honoured Steven and Tooth for their role in landing the aircraft. Machchhar was presented with the First Class Order of Zayed II, described as one of the UAE’s highest civilian awards. Wearing a sling and with stitches at the back of his head, Machchhar told the UAE president he expected to need another two months to heal fully.
Key points
- Henson Steven and Rowan Tooth landed the FlyDubai aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia.
- The co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe during a hijack attempt.
- The UAE government honoured Steven and Tooth, and awarded Machchhar the First Class Order of Zayed II.
- Machchhar said he expected to need two more months to heal fully.