Dentist Who Helped Subdue Flydubai Attacker Recounts Cockpit Struggle: ‘We Thought We Were Going To Die’

TEL AVIV (VINnews) – Dr. Shota Musayev, a dentist aboard the Flydubai flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an alleged cockpit attack, said he was among the Israeli passengers who rushed toward the cockpit to subdue the co-pilot and later treated the seriously wounded captain.

Musayev told Ynet that he heard screams and immediately ran toward the cockpit after realizing something was wrong.

“I saw that something was not right and ran forward. I didn’t wait for anyone to call me,” he said. “I came to fight the attacker when I heard the screams. I didn’t come to provide medical assistance.”

The attacker continued struggling and tried to break free, requiring the passengers to restrain him several times, including tying his hands and legs.

“He was struggling, so we tied him up again,” Musayev said. “Then he calmed down and understood that he was in our hands.”

Only after the attacker had been restrained did Musayev turn his attention to the wounded captain.

The captain was suffering from severe bleeding from wounds to his head and hands, Musayev said. He was the only doctor aboard the aircraft and managed to stop the bleeding.

“The pilot was in very serious condition, with heavy bleeding from his head and hands,” Musayev said. “I was the only doctor on the plane. I managed to stop the bleeding, and the pilot was relatively stable until shortly before landing, when his condition deteriorated somewhat.”

Musayev said the injured captain was lying on the floor and was able to communicate with the passengers. The captain told them that the attacker had stabbed him and that he was 39 years old and had two children.

“We were several brave people,” Musayev said. “We took control of the attacker and tied him up. Of course it was difficult, but we succeeded.”

He said the passengers acted instinctively during the crisis.

“At that moment, you don’t think, you just act,” Musayev said. “There were four of us who took control of the entire situation. If not for that, we wouldn’t be talking to you.”

The aircraft had undergone a dramatic loss of altitude during the incident, Musayev said, leaving passengers convinced they were about to die.

“We thought we were going to die, 100%,” he said. “The plane lost an incredible amount of altitude in half a minute.”

Passengers began shouting for the pilots before one of them entered the cockpit and regained control of the aircraft, Musayev said.

“That was when we understood that we had been saved,” he said.

After the plane landed in Saudi Arabia, Musayev said Saudi medical personnel treated the wounded captain. He said he was later told that the pilot had survived and was out of danger.