Flydubai attack: How Israeli dentist helped save injured Indian pilot Smit Machchhar

An Israeli dentist travelling as a passenger on a Flydubai flight became the first responder to help critically injured Indian pilot Smit Machchhar after a violent confrontation inside the cockpit.

Dr Shota Musayev was the only doctor aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar and the flight went into a steep descent.

Musayev, who was returning from China, said he rushed towards the cockpit within seconds of hearing screams. He found Machchhar, 39, on the floor with severe injuries and heavy bleeding, particularly from his head.

“I didn’t wait,” Musayev told Times of Israel after reaching Tel Aviv. He said the pilot was in a serious condition and had suffered deep cuts to his head and hands.

As the only doctor on the aircraft, Musayev immediately began providing emergency medical assistance. He said he managed to stop the bleeding and stabilise Machchhar’s blood pressure.

The dentist later said he feared the pilot could die because of the amount of blood he had lost. Machchhar however, remained conscious for some time and was able to communicate with people around him, according to reports.

Passengers overpower co-pilot
Other passengers, including Israeli nationals who entered the cockpit along with Musayev, helped overpower and restrain the co-pilot.

According to accounts from passengers, the aircraft had rapidly lost altitude during the confrontation. Machchhar, despite being badly injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and intervene.

Once the attacker was restrained, the aircraft was brought under control and diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. The injured captain and the co-pilot were taken to hospital after landing. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia later said Machchhar was stable and receiving treatment.

'Very close to a disaster'
Recalling the incident, Musayev said the situation was extremely tense but credited the passengers who intervened.

“These were very hard moments, but together with a few brave people on the plane, we managed to avert a situation that was very close to a disaster,” he said, according to The Week.

The aircraft was carrying 174 people, according to reports. Israeli authorities have described the incident as an attempted attack, while the circumstances and motive remain under investigation. Flydubai has also cautioned against premature speculation about what happened.

For Musayev, after treating the injured pilot and helping restrain the attacker, there was only one thing left to do.

“Now I just want to go home and hug my children,” he said.