Doctor Recounts Harrowing Flydubai Flight Attack, Praises Passenger Intervention

Dr. Shota Musaev, who treated the co-pilot injured in a stabbing attempt on a Flydubai flight to Israel, described the terrifying moments during an interview with Channel 14. He stated that the swift actions of the passengers prevented a much graver disaster.

Musaev recounted that the incident began when the attacker breached the cockpit and assaulted the co-pilot. "It didn't start in the cockpit, someone broke into the cockpit. The co-pilot was attacked, and within seconds the plane started to lurch in the air. At first, we thought it was turbulence, but after a few seconds, we understood it was an attack," he said.

He described how passengers rushed to the front of the plane to subdue the assailant. "A guy named Yaniv managed to get the attacker out of the cockpit. If he had managed to close the cockpit, we probably wouldn't be here now. After that, we started to tie him up, and at the same time, Yaniv entered the cockpit and secured it from the inside to prevent further entry." While the attacker was restrained, Musaev provided medical aid to the injured co-pilot, who had lost a significant amount of blood and sustained head and hand injuries.

Musaev noted that passengers feared the attacker might not be acting alone and instructed others to spread out to prevent further assaults. "There were screams, crying, and children in a bad state, but at the same time, we tried to calm everyone down and clarify that the attacker was already under control." He emphasized that the passengers' rapid and decisive response was crucial in preventing a far worse outcome, though he deferred to authorities for a full investigation into potential accomplices.

The doctor confirmed the co-pilot remained conscious throughout the treatment and that the second pilot managed to maintain control of the aircraft and continue flying.