‘Very bad shape’: Israeli dentist recalls treating stabbed Indian pilot on flydubai flight

Israeli dentist Musaev Shota, who was among the first passengers to reach the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 after an alleged attack by the co-pilot, said Indian captain Smit Machchhar was in a critical condition with heavy bleeding when he began treating him.

Shota, who was the only doctor among the passengers, said he helped restrain the co-pilot before attending to Machchhar. The captain was conscious and continued speaking to passengers despite suffering serious injuries.

Machchhar was later treated at a hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was diverted there. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on Thursday that he was receiving medical treatment and was reported to be in stable condition.

‘Heavy bleeding from his head and hands’

Shota told Ynet that Machchhar was in a “very bad shape” when he reached him, with heavy bleeding from his head and hands.

The dentist said he managed to stop the bleeding and that the captain became “fairly stable” afterwards. However, Machchhar’s condition deteriorated somewhat shortly before the aircraft landed.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar remained conscious and spoke to those around him while lying on the floor of the cockpit.

“The pilot was talking to us while he was lying there and told us he was 39 and had two children,” Shota said.

He added that the attacker had stabbed and cursed Machchhar.

Shota later learnt from medical teams in Saudi Arabia that Machchhar had survived and was out of danger.

Passengers rushed into cockpit during struggle

Shota said he immediately ran towards the cockpit after realising that something was wrong.

“I didn’t wait. I saw something was wrong and ran,” he told Ynet.

He was among three passengers who first entered the cockpit. Several others then joined the effort to restrain the co-pilot.

“We took control of the attacker and tied him up. Of course it was difficult, but we managed,” Shota said, adding that three other passengers were involved in taking control of the situation.

He said another passenger, Yaniv, was also among the first to intervene.

“At that moment you don’t think, you just act… If we hadn’t, we wouldn’t be talking to you now,” Shota said.

Accounts published after the incident have identified several passengers who intervened, including Yaniv Hayoun, Shota Musaev, Tzvika Manes and Assaf Rajuan. Two off-duty pilots travelling on the aircraft subsequently took control and helped land the plane safely in Tabuk.

Plane plunged nearly 14,000 feet

Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people aboard when the cockpit confrontation began.

The aircraft plunged by nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds over northern Saudi Arabia. Flight-tracking data cited by reports put the descent at about 14,300 feet, while the aircraft also transmitted a signal associated with unlawful interference.

Israeli officials said the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar and attempted to crash the aircraft. The injured captain was nevertheless able to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker.

The flight was diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely. Two other pilots who were travelling aboard the aircraft took over flight duties and brought the plane down safely in Saudi Arabia. The passengers subsequently reached Israel on a replacement aircraft.

The presence of additional pilots on the flight was linked to the possibility that regional disruptions could force the aircraft to take a longer route.

Fear spread through the cabin

Shota recalled the moment passengers realised that the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude.

“We thought we were going to die, 100%. The plane lost an insane amount of altitude in half a minute,” he said.

Passengers then began calling for other pilots who might be travelling aboard the aircraft. One of them entered the cockpit and took control, according to Shota.

The incident has prompted investigations by authorities in Israel and Saudi Arabia. The precise motive behind the co-pilot’s alleged attack remains under investigation. Flydubai has urged against speculation while authorities establish what happened.

Machchhar’s experience has also emerged following the incident. He has been a flydubai Boeing 737 captain since June 2022 and previously spent around 11 years with SpiceJet, according to his professional profile.