Northern Cape Pilot Rowan Tooth Receives UAE Medal for Foiling FlyDubai Terror Attack

• Kimberley-born pilot Rowan Tooth was among the FlyDubai flight crew honoured by the UAE for their actions during a mid-air terror attack
• Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum officially presented the First Class Order of Zayed II at a ceremony on 27 October
• The FlyDubai incident occurred on 30 September when an Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain mid-flight and attempted to seize control of the aircraft

SOUTH AFRICA — A Kimberley-born pilot has been awarded one of the United Arab Emirates' highest national honours after playing a key role in averting a catastrophic mid-air terror attack aboard a FlyDubai Boeing 737 MAX.

Relief pilot Rowan Tooth, who hails from the Northern Cape, was among the flight and cabin crew of FlyDubai flight FZ1073 to receive the First Class Order of Zayed II. The medals were presented on 27 October by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. The ceremony took place at the presidential council in Abu Dhabi.

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FlyDubai terror incident

The award recognises the crew's conduct during a life-threatening crisis on 30 September, when Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchar was repeatedly stabbed inside the cockpit by his Omani co-pilot, who then attempted to seize control of the aircraft. UAE investigators subsequently confirmed the incident was a jihadist terrorist attack targeting all 174 people on board. During the struggle, three Israeli passengers forced their way into the cockpit after hearing the commotion, and the aircraft plunged approximately 18,000 feet before control was restored.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred the honour upon the crew in recognition of their extraordinary bravery, swift action, and professionalism during the crisis.

Tooth's South African roots

According to an informed source cited by NovaNews, Tooth attended Kimberley Junior School before going on to complete his secondary education at Pretoria Boys' High School. His recognition has drawn significant attention in South Africa, with the post sharing news of his medal garnering over 22,500 views and nearly 800 likes on X within hours of being published on 28 October 2026.

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Social media users were quick to praise Tooth's achievement. X user@Madeofstardust2 wrote:

"He fought tooth and nail to save the plane."

@stsilversage added:

"Congratulations, Rowan Tooth and THANK YOU."

FlyDubai passengers speak on ordeal

In a previous report from Briefly News, Flydubai passengers have described the experience as terrifying.

This came after a pilot allegedly stabbed his colleague, sending the plane plunging thousands of feet.

Source: Briefly News