Flydubai Hero Pilot Smit Machchhar Suffers Skull Fracture, Undergoes Emergency Surgery in Saudi Arabia
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar suffered a depressed skull fracture after being attacked by his Omani co-pilot during a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv.
The 38-year-old pilot was injured when the co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a crash axe inside the cockpit while the aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew. Despite severe injuries and rapid blood loss, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker.
The aircraft later made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Emergency Surgery in Saudi Arabia
Sources said Machchhar suffered a depressed fracture, in which a broken fragment of the skull is pushed inward. Doctors in Saudi Arabia performed emergency treatment and reconstructed the damaged portion of his skull before he was transferred to the UAE.
The pilot also suffered injuries to his limbs, chest and upper abdominal area. He is now receiving advanced medical care at a military hospital in Abu Dhabi and is responding well to treatment, according to sources.
His family has been allowed to meet him at the hospital, while authorities continue to provide regular updates on his condition.
How Machchhar Helped Save the Flight
The Omani co-pilot, identified as Hamad Al-Hammami, allegedly attacked Machchhar before attempting to take control of the aircraft. The plane was eventually diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, plunged nearly 18,000 feet about two and a half hours after take-off. The aircraft initially transmitted an emergency signal before switching to squawk code 7500, indicating a hijacking.
He said he made one final effort to open the cockpit door from inside, allowing others to enter and help control the situation.
During a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week, Machchhar recalled that he was lying injured on the cockpit floor when he realised the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude.
