‘Don’t sleep, we need you’: How dentist Shota Musaev helped save flydubai captain Smit Machchhar after cockpit attack

Dr. Shota Musaev, a Georgian dentist living in Israel, found himself acting as a first responder when Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was attacked in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073. Minutes after takeoff, passengers heard screams and rushed to the cockpit, where Dr. Musaev saw Machchhar on the floor, bleeding heavily from head, neck, and hand wounds.

Driven by a sense of responsibility, he began treating the injured pilot for approximately 45 minutes until the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Using T-shirts to press the wounds and asking for ice from the stewards, Dr. Musaev managed to keep Machchhar conscious throughout the ordeal. Regularly checking the pilot's vital signs, he encouraged him to stay awake by saying, "Please don’t sleep, we need you."

Captain Machchhar expressed his gratitude towards Dr. Musaev, mentioning that he would like to meet him upon his return home. The dentist emphasized that everyone on the plane played a crucial role in the successful outcome, crediting the passengers and crew who helped stabilize the aircraft during the emergency.