Dentist Treating Indian Pilot Recalls Severe Head And Hand Injuries After Flydubai Incident

Israeli dentist Musaev Shota has recalled the chaotic aftermath of the cockpit attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, describing Indian Captain Smit Machchhar as being in “very bad shape” after he was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot. Shota was among the first three passengers to reach the cockpit after hearing screams and realising something had gone seriously wrong on the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight. After helping other passengers restrain the alleged attacker, he turned his attention to the injured captain, who was bleeding heavily from wounds to his head and hands. Shota said Machchhar remained conscious despite the severity of his injuries and was able to communicate with those around him. The dentist, who was the only doctor on board, said he immediately began providing emergency treatment to the captain while the aircraft was still in flight.

Shota said he rushed forward after hearing noise and screams and initially believed he would have to help confront the person causing the disturbance rather than provide medical assistance. When he entered the cockpit, however, he found Machchhar seriously wounded and losing a significant amount of blood. The dentist told Israeli media that the captain’s head and hands had suffered deep injuries and that his blood pressure was falling. Shota said he managed to stop the bleeding and stabilise Machchhar while other passengers focused on restraining the alleged attacker. He later recalled that the captain remained responsive and spoke with those assisting him. According to Shota, Machchhar told them he was 39 years old, had two children and had been stabbed and attacked by the co-pilot.

The dentist also described the condition of the injured pilot in stark terms, saying Machchhar had lost a substantial amount of blood and that there was a risk he could deteriorate before the aircraft reached the ground. Shota said the captain remained conscious for much of the ordeal and continued communicating with him even while lying injured on the cockpit floor. In another account, the dentist said Machchhar was praying during the crisis and that he feared the captain could die if his condition worsened. Shota’s intervention came as the aircraft was dealing with a rapidly developing emergency in the cockpit. Reports said the Boeing 737 had undergone a dramatic descent after the confrontation, adding to the urgency of treating the wounded captain and regaining control of the aircraft.

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The attack unfolded while Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people aboard. According to reports, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit, after which the aircraft descended sharply from its cruising altitude. Despite his injuries, Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers to enter and confront the alleged attacker. Shota was among those who helped overpower and restrain the co-pilot. Other passengers and crew members also became involved as the situation inside the cockpit was brought under control. Two off-duty flydubai pilots who were travelling as passengers subsequently assisted in operating the aircraft. The plane was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing and the injured captain was transferred to Saudi medical personnel.

The dentist said Machchhar’s condition remained relatively stable until shortly before landing, when he appeared to deteriorate. After the aircraft reached Tabuk, Saudi medical teams took over his treatment. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah said they were monitoring the captain’s condition and were in contact with his family. Machchhar was reported to be stable while receiving treatment in a Saudi hospital. The captain, who previously worked with SpiceJet before joining flydubai, has since received public praise from Indian and Israeli leaders for his actions during the incident. Reports said his ability to open the cockpit door despite his injuries allowed passengers and crew to intervene at a critical moment.

Shota’s account provides a first-hand description of the medical emergency that unfolded alongside the struggle to regain control of the aircraft. His treatment of Machchhar was one part of a sequence of actions involving passengers, crew members and off-duty pilots after the cockpit confrontation. The aircraft eventually landed safely in Tabuk, and the passengers were able to continue their journey to Israel on another flight. Saudi authorities are investigating the cockpit attack, while the precise motive behind the alleged assault remains under investigation. The accounts emerging from passengers and crew have highlighted how the response inside the aircraft unfolded in several stages — from Machchhar’s attempt to deal with the emergency, to passengers entering the cockpit, Shota treating the injured captain and other pilots helping bring the aircraft safely to the ground.

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