How Two Kenyans Saved Injured Pilot and Earned Top UAE Medals
Two Kenyan flight attendants who rushed to help their bloodied captain after an axe attack thousands of feet in the air have been awarded one of the United Arab Emirates’ highest civil honours.
David Kimotho and John Muchina received the First Class Order of Zayed II for their bravery during the September 30 mid-air emergency aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073.
The honour was presented on Tuesday, October 27, by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Senior UAE officials, including Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, attended the ceremony.
The critical role played by the two Kenyans first came to light through cabin footage recorded during the crisis and verified by Reuters. The video captured Kimotho and Muchina speaking in Swahili as they tried to position and comfort the wounded pilot as the aircraft descended rapidly.
“Cheki kama anaongea, umwongeleshe,” one attendant was heard instructing his colleague, asking him to talk to the captain to see if he was still responsive. “Mweke huku chini,” the other replied, advising that the pilot be laid down safely on the floor.
The emergency began when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe inside the cockpit of the Boeing 737 Max, which was carrying 174 passengers and crew from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Despite sustaining severe injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door and raise the alarm before collapsing. The violence left blood smeared across the cockpit walls and triggered panic throughout the main cabin.
Flight data showed the aircraft plunged more than 16,000 feet in just over 30 seconds during the incident. The transponder was switched off for nearly half an hour, and distress signals indicating unlawful interference were sent out as the plane changed course over Jordanian airspace.
Inside the cabin, passengers and crew scrambled to overpower the co-pilot. One passenger helped pull the co-pilot away from the flight controls, noting later that he drew on lessons learned from watching an aviation disaster television show. Two other passengers then subdued the attacker and bound him using earphone cables, while a doctor on board provided immediate first aid.
Control of the aircraft was eventually taken over by two off-duty Flydubai pilots travelling as passengers. They guided the jet to an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities confirmed that both the captain and co-pilot were injured. Captain Machchhar received initial treatment at a hospital in Tabuk before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for further care, while the first officer was taken into police custody upon landing.
Flydubai confirmed that a full investigation into the security breach and assault remains under way.
The First Class Order of Zayed II is typically conferred by the UAE President to recognize exceptional courage and distinguished service. Official citations at the ceremony praised Kimotho and Muchina for their calm professionalism and commitment to passenger safety during the life-threatening ordeal.
