Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who helped prevent an apparent attempt to crash a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, suffered a depressed skull fracture when his Omani co-pilot attacked him with a crash axe inside the cockpit, according to sources cited by NDTV.
The 38-year-old captain underwent emergency treatment in Saudi Arabia, where doctors reconstructed his skull, before he was airlifted to Abu Dhabi for advanced medical care. He is now recovering at a military hospital, with sources saying he is responding well to treatment.
Machchhar was flying flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the aircraft plunged nearly 18,000 feet about two and a half hours into the journey. The flight first issued an emergency signal before switching to squawk 7500, the international transponder code indicating a hijacking.
Pilot fought through injuries to regain cockpit control
According to sources, Machchhar suffered a depressed skull fracture during the attack, along with injuries to his limbs, chest and upper abdomen.
A depressed skull fracture occurs when a broken section of the skull is pushed inward towards the brain. The injury can put pressure on or damage the brain and may require emergency surgery.
Despite severe injuries and blood loss, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing cabin crew and passengers to enter, overpower the co-pilot and help stabilise the aircraft.
The plane subsequently made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar was later flown from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi for specialised treatment. He was admitted to a military hospital, where doctors have been monitoring his recovery. Sources said his condition was improving and that his family had been allowed to visit him.
In a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, Machchhar described how he forced himself to act despite being injured.
“I was lying on the floor injured, but I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside,” he told Modi.
“Others came in and also played a role [in controlling the situation]. I was of course fighting for my own life but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die,” he added.
Co-pilot accused of trying to crash aircraft
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said the Omani co-pilot, identified as Hamad Al-Hammami, had stabbed Machchhar before “apparently trying to crash” the aircraft.
The flight was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew members when the incident occurred.
Machchhar’s actions allowed others to enter the cockpit and assist in restraining the co-pilot, helping prevent what authorities have described as an apparent attempt to bring down the aircraft.
The incident has drawn attention to the actions of the Indian captain, who continued to fight for control of the aircraft despite suffering potentially life-threatening injuries.