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Dentist Recounts Horrific Attack: FlyDubai Pilot Fought for Life After Being Stabbed Mid-Flight
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News18•01-10-2026, 09:12
Dentist Recounts Horrific Attack: FlyDubai Pilot Fought for Life After Being Stabbed Mid-Flight
- •Dr. Shota Mosaev, an Israeli dentist, provided a first-hand account of treating Captain Smit Machchhar after he was repeatedly stabbed in the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073.
- •Machchhar sustained deep wounds to his head and hands, described as "practically sliced open, almost severed in two," and suffered significant blood loss, leading to a serious condition.
- •Mosaev, the only doctor on board, rushed to the cockpit after hearing screams, controlled the bleeding, and stabilized the captain's blood pressure as passengers restrained the attacker.
- •The Indian captain eventually lost consciousness due to blood pressure drop but used his last energy to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene and overpower the co-pilot attacker.
- •The incident, which saw the plane drop nearly 14,000 feet, was averted from a potential catastrophe by the actions of the captain, passengers, and crew, leading to an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Key Questions Answered
An Israeli dentist named Dr Shota Mosaev, who was the only doctor on board Flydubai flight FZ1073, rushed to the cockpit to treat Captain Smit Machchhar after hearing screams.
Passengers initially used the cord from a pair of headphones to restrain the attacker, and plastic zip ties were later brought in to keep him secured.
The aircraft made an emergency landing at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals and experiencing a sharp descent.
