‘Don’t sleep please, we need you’, dentist told flydubai pilot as he battled to save him

Dentist Dr Shota Musaev, 47, recounted the harrowing 45 minutes he spent battling to keep flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar alive during an attempted terrorist attack on Flight FZ1073. The incident unfolded on September 30 when Machchhar's co-pilot allegedly used a crash axe to attack him, and Machchhar struggled to control the bleeding from stab wounds on his head and hand.

Musaev, along with other passengers and reserve pilots, took control of the aircraft, preventing what was described as a potential disaster. He spoke with The National about the intense pressure he faced, telling passengers not to sleep, expressing concern for his life and the safety of his family. He noted that Machchhar repeatedly requested pain relief and reassurance that he would survive.

Throughout the ordeal, Musaev monitored Machchhar's vital signs, kept pressure on his wounds using T-shirts and ice packets, and even propped up the captain's feet to stabilize his pulse. Despite the severity of Machchhar's injuries, Musaev refrained from administering medication due to the heavy bleeding. Passengers, including a woman who raised the alarm, played crucial roles in ensuring the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

Upon landing, Musaev handed Machchhar over to medical professionals in Tabuk, expressing gratitude for the assistance he received. He emphasized that the actions of all passengers, from those who alerted authorities to those who provided physical support, contributed to the successful outcome. Musaev also acknowledged his own PTSD, noting that he and his wife have struggled with sleep and weight loss since the incident.