Israeli Dentist Describes Heroic Rescue of Wounded Pilot on FlyDubai Flight

TEL AVIV, Israel — Dr. Shota Musaev, an Israeli dentist and passenger aboard FlyDubai Flight 1073, has shared his account of the harrowing mid-air incident in which he helped subdue a suspect and provide emergency aid to the airline’s captain.

Musaev, who was seated in row 13 during the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, stated that he acted instinctively when he witnessed the co-pilot, identified as Capt. Smit Machchhar, lying injured on the cockpit floor. Upon learning that an unidentified co-pilot had allegedly attacked the captain with a knife and forced the aircraft into a dive, Musaev joined other passengers in rushing to the front of the plane.

According to Musaev, another passenger named Yaniv Hayun managed to restrain the attacker, take control of the aircraft, and stabilize its altitude before a third pilot assumed command and diverted the jet to Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing. Once the situation was secured, Musaev and a fellow traveler used headphones to bind the suspect’s hands.

The dentist described the suspect, who is of Omani nationality, as being in custody and largely uncooperative, occasionally pleading with the passengers to kill him. After the suspect was subdued, Musaev turned his attention to Captain Machchhar, who was suffering from bleeding injuries to his head, neck, and hands. Musaev applied direct pressure to the wounds while reassuring the captain, who pleaded for help, stating he did not wish to die.

The flight, which lasted approximately 40 minutes of turmoil, landed safely in Saudi Arabia where passengers received medical attention. Reflecting on the event, Musaev expressed shock at the proximity to disaster. “Do you understand we were five to ten seconds from dying?” he said, visibly emotional during the interview.

Captain Machchhar was initially treated at a hospital in Saudi Arabia before being transferred to a facility in the United Arab Emirates, according to the Indian consulate in Dubai. The Indian ambassador reported that the captain was conscious, smiling, and in good spirits, offering relief to his family and colleagues.

The suspected co-pilot remains in custody in Abu Dhabi. Musaev expressed hope that he will eventually be able to thank Captain Machchhar personally for ensuring the safety of everyone on board despite his own severe injuries.