Dentist’s Account of Machchhar’s Critical Care Highlights Heroic Response on Flydubai Flight

Key points

• Dr. Shota Musaev treated Captain Machchhar’s severe head and hand wounds, using ice to stop bleeding and elevating his feet to restore his pulse.
• The flight plummeted 14,000 feet in 29 seconds after the attack, but passengers subdued the co-pilot and regained control.
• Israeli President Isaac Herzog awarded the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism to six passengers, including Musaev, for their actions.
• The co-pilot, identified as Hamman al-Hamammi, is being questioned in the UAE and allegedly planned to crash the plane into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.
• Machchhar, 39, has two children and is recovering in the UAE after the incident.

Background

The incident occurred on September 30, 2026, when Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after an Omani co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe. Previous reports indicated the co-pilot had been banned from flying in Oman due to radical views. Machchhar, an Indian national, managed to open the cockpit door despite severe injuries, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker. The flight carried 174 passengers, mostly Israeli. UAE authorities classified the incident as a terrorist act, and the co-pilot was transferred to the UAE for questioning.

How outlets are covering it

NDTV emphasizes the medical efforts of Dr. Shota Musaev, highlighting his role in stabilizing Machchhar and the emotional bond formed among passengers. NBC News focuses on the alleged 9/11-style attack plan and security failures, noting that the co-pilot was previously banned from flying in Oman. The Jerusalem Post highlights the Israeli government’s recognition of the passengers’ heroism through the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism. All sources agree on the severity of the attack and the passengers’ quick response, but differ in emphasis: NDTV on medical care, NBC on security implications, and the Jerusalem Post on national recognition.

Why it matters

The incident raises critical questions about aviation security, particularly how a previously banned individual was allowed to fly. The heroic actions of passengers and the captain have been recognized by Israeli authorities, highlighting the importance of civilian bravery in crisis situations. The investigation into the co-pilot’s motives and radicalization may inform future security protocols in the region.

What to watch

The co-pilot, Hamman al-Hamammi, will continue to be questioned by UAE investigators. Israeli authorities are reviewing civil aviation security measures, and the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism has been awarded to six passengers. Captain Machchhar is expected to continue his recovery, and further details about the co-pilot’s radicalization may emerge as the investigation progresses.