A serious incident occurred on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed the captain, Smit Machchhar. The situation became critical when passengers had to intervene to help control the attacker and assist the injured pilot.
One of the first responders was Musaev Shota, an Israeli dentist who was among the three passengers who rushed into the cockpit. He reported that Machchhar was in a “very bad shape” after being stabbed. Shota recounted that when he reached the pilot, there was heavy bleeding from his head and hands. Despite the severe injuries, Machchhar was conscious and managed to communicate details about the attack.
Shota took on the role of the only doctor on board and provided urgent care to stabilize the injured pilot. He shared that he was able to stop the bleeding, which brought some relief to Machchhar’s critical condition, although it worsened again just before they landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. He described how Machchhar spoke with him while lying on the floor, mentioning that he was 39 years old and had two children.
Emergency medical teams in Tabuk treated Machchhar once the plane landed, and Shota later learned that the pilot survived and was no longer in danger.
The terrifying ordeal unfolded as the flight, which had 174 individuals on board, suddenly dived nearly 14,000 feet within seconds over northern Saudi Arabia. In response to the hijack alert triggered by the situation, other passengers and crew members managed to restrain the co-pilot, and two additional flydubai pilots on the flight safely landed the aircraft.
Reflecting on the quick reaction from passengers, Shota said he acted immediately upon sensing something was wrong. His decisive move to intervene inspired several others to join him in containing the co-pilot. Shota emphasized the immediate instinct to act in such a dangerous situation, recalling the fear they felt as the plane lost altitude rapidly. Amid the chaos, passengers called for other pilots aboard, enabling one of them to help regain control in the cockpit.
Thankfully, thanks to the bravery and swift actions of those onboard, the passengers were able to reach Israel safely after the unthinkable incident.
