flydubai incident: Dentist recalls 40-minute fight to save captain Smit Machchhar after cockpit attack

Dr Shota Musaev, a 47-year-old Georgian dentist based in Israel, was among the passengers on flydubai Flight FZ1073 when the cockpit of the plane was attacked by a passenger. In an interview with ABC News, Musaev recalled the 40 minutes he spent treating Captain Smit Machchhar after finding him severely injured and bleeding in the cockpit.

Musaev, who had just returned from China, ran towards the cockpit within seconds of hearing screams and found Machchhar with heavy bleeding, particularly on his head. As the only doctor among the passengers, Musaev spent about 40 minutes treating Machchhar, stopping the bleeding and stabilizing his blood pressure using clothing and ice.

The captain remained conscious and communicated with passengers throughout the ordeal. Musaev reassured Machchhar, telling him not to be afraid and that they would land soon. Despite the danger of moving the injured pilot, Musaev applied pressure to deep wounds on his head and hands, using T-shirts and ice packets. Passengers fought to secure the cockpit, tying the attacker and Musaev helped passengers restrain him using headphone cables.

The aircraft eventually diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where Captain Machchhar was handed over to medical teams. He was later confirmed to be recovering and out of danger.