The Smit Machchhar flydubai attack took a dramatic turn when dentist Shota Musaev spent 45 minutes controlling the injured captain’s bleeding. The dentist rescue, cockpit attack, Tabuk landing and pilot recovery have highlighted the courage shown aboard Flight FZ1073.

Dentist describes 45-minute fight to save Captain Smit Machchhar

An Israel-based dentist has described the tense 45 minutes in which he tried to keep flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar alive after the Indian pilot was seriously injured during an alleged cockpit attack on Flight FZ1073.

Dr Shota Musaev said he rushed toward the cockpit after hearing screams and later found Machchhar suffering from heavy bleeding from wounds to his head and left hand. The September 30 flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. UAE Attorney General Hamad Al Shamsi has described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack. The National

Dentist rescue

Musaev said passengers and crew helped overpower the alleged attacker before he turned his attention to the wounded captain. With limited medical equipment available, he used T-shirts and ice packs to apply pressure to Machchhar’s wounds.

He said the bleeding restarted whenever the makeshift dressing was lifted, forcing him to maintain continuous pressure for about 45 minutes. Musaev also monitored the captain’s pulse and other visible signs while trying to prevent further blood loss. 

Cockpit attack

Authorities allege that the co-pilot attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit and attempted to seize control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8. Despite being badly injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers, crew members and standby pilots to intervene.

The co-pilot, identified in multiple reports as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, remains in custody. His identity has not been formally confirmed by flydubai or UAE authorities, while investigations into the attack and his background continue. 

Tabuk landing

During the emergency, standby pilots and a passenger entered the cockpit and helped stabilise the aircraft. The flight was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely and Machchhar was transferred to medical teams.

Musaev said he kept the captain awake by asking about his family and repeatedly reassuring him that the aircraft would land soon. At one stage, when Machchhar’s pulse weakened, Musaev elevated his legs and continued monitoring him until medical help became available on the ground. 

Pilot recovery

Machchhar was later transferred to the UAE for further treatment. The Indian Embassy said on October 6 that he was making steady progress and regaining his health while remaining under medical care.

His actions have drawn widespread praise after reports that he helped prevent a potentially catastrophic loss of control despite his injuries. Musaev, however, said the rescue was a collective effort involving passengers, crew members and standby pilots.

Flydubai hero

The dentist credited Machchhar with saving everyone aboard and said helping the captain survive felt like returning that act of courage. The aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew when the emergency unfolded.

The incident remains under investigation, but the accounts emerging from Flight FZ1073 show how quick action by the injured captain, passengers, crew and standby pilots helped turn a potentially disastrous mid-air attack into a safe emergency landing.