‘I saw the pilot bleeding heavily’: Dentist recounts saving flydubai captain after cockpit stabbing
A dentist aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 describes helping the wounded captain after the cockpit attack, as UAE prosecutors investigate the incident and its motive.
A dentist who was among the passengers aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 has described the critical moments after the captain was attacked inside the cockpit, explaining how he and other passengers rushed forward to provide emergency assistance after the alleged attacker was subdued.
The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when a security incident unfolded in the flight deck. The aircraft was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. flydubai has confirmed that all passengers were safe and that an altercation occurred in the flight deck, while UAE authorities have opened a formal investigation into the circumstances and motives.
Dentist describes the rescue
Dentist Shota Musaev said he went to the front of the aircraft after the emergency unfolded and found Captain Smit Machchhar badly injured and bleeding. Musaev helped treat the wounded captain after also assisting other passengers in restraining the co-pilot.
Reuters reported that passengers entered the cockpit during the rapid descent and that a reserve flydubai crew travelling on board then took control of the aircraft and landed it safely in Tabuk. Flight-tracking data cited by Reuters showed the aircraft dropping more than 14,000 feet in about 30 seconds.
Investigation into motive continues
The UAE Attorney-General has formed a specialised prosecution team to investigate the incident. The investigation includes examining the circumstances and motives, including any possible connection to terrorist activity, intent, prior planning or direction. Emirati authorities have stressed that these possibilities remain under investigation and have urged the public to avoid unverified speculation.
flydubai has likewise said the underlying reasons and motives remain unknown pending the official investigation.
Read also: Trump threatens Iran with ‘very severe’ strike if link to attempted flydubai crash is proven
Sources: flydubai, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Reuters, Le Parisien.
