Stories
Dentist Reveals Harrowing 45-Minute Mid-Air Battle To Save Injured Pilot
- •Israeli dentist Dr Shota Musaev fought for 45 minutes to keep injured Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar alive after an attempted cockpit attack by the co-pilot on a Dubai to Tel Aviv flight.
- •Musaev used T-shirts and ice to stem heavy bleeding from the captain's head and hands, while constantly talking to him to keep him conscious.
- •Passengers and off-duty pilots helped restrain the co-pilot, secure the aircraft, and assist during the terrifying mid-air crisis.
- •The flight landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where Machchhar received emergency surgery for a skull fracture and other severe injuries before being transferred to the UAE.
- •Captain Machchhar is currently recovering at a specialised medical facility as doctors monitor his vision and neurological condition.
Key Questions Answered
On September 30, Flydubai Flight FZ1073 carrying 174 people experienced an attempted terrorist attack when the co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, brutally attacked Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. Passengers, crew, and off-duty pilots intervened to restrain the attacker, stabilize the aircraft, and execute an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Dr Shota Musaev rushed to the cockpit and spent 45 minutes applying constant pressure and ice to Captain Machchhar's severe head and hand wounds using makeshift T-shirt dressings. He also kept the injured pilot talking about his children to prevent him from losing consciousness and raised his feet when his pulse dropped dangerously low.
Captain Smit Machchhar suffered a skull fracture, severe head and hand injuries, and damage that left his vision blurred. He underwent emergency surgery in Saudi Arabia before being transferred to a specialized medical facility in the UAE for ongoing neurological and vision monitoring.
