Smit Machchhar skull fracture: What happened to the flydubai hero pilot right after cockpit attack?

The story of Captain Smit Machchhar now has another, more serious detail: the Indian pilot hailed for helping avert a mid-air disaster suffered a depressed skull fracture during the flydubai cockpit attack and underwent emergency treatment in Saudi Arabia.

According to NDTV, doctors in Saudi Arabia reconstructed part of his skull before Machchhar was airlifted to the UAE for advanced medical care. He also suffered injuries to his limbs, chest and upper abdomen, but has been reported to be making a positive recovery.

So, what happened to Machchhar inside the cockpit, and how did he manage to save the people aboard his flight while seriously injured?

What happened to Smit Machchhar on the flydubai flight?

Machchhar was the captain of flydubai Flight FZ1073, flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit.

According to Reuters, the plane, carrying 174 people, went into a rapid descent of nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Despite being badly injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and overpower the attacker. Two off-duty pilots travelling on the flight subsequently helped take control of the aircraft.

The aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing.

How serious were Smit Machchhar’s injuries?

The latest medical details reveal the extent of the attack. NDTV reported that Machchhar suffered a “depressed fracture: fragment of skull”, meaning a portion of the broken skull was pushed inward. Doctors in Saudi Arabia performed emergency treatment and reconstructed the affected section before he was transferred to the UAE.

He suffered several other wounds, including injuries to his limbs, chest and upper abdominal region.

The pilot is now receiving further treatment in Abu Dhabi.

How did Machchhar manage to open the cockpit door?

This is the part of the story that has made Machchhar a symbol of courage in India. Speaking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his hospital bed on October 2, Machchhar described how he realised the aircraft was rapidly descending even while he was being attacked.

“I have been flying aircraft in FZ for 17 years. I have been a captain for the past 11 years. And I know, even with my eyes closed, what is happening in the aircraft,” he told Modi, according to the official transcript released by the Press Information Bureau. He said he knew he had to get the cockpit door open. “When I was lying down, I could feel that the aircraft was going down. And I knew clearly that this was the last push - if Smit could just do it - the door was right there.”

Machchhar then managed to open the door despite continuing to be attacked.

“Even then I was being hit, but I opened it, Sir. Then everyone came out, and everyone else had their role too.”

What did Smit Machchhar say about saving the passengers?

Machchhar told Modi that he was thinking about the passengers even as he fought for his own survival.

“I was acting for my own life, but at the same time I knew I could not let them all die,” he said, according to the official transcript.

He also said that he relied on prayer during the ordeal, telling Modi: “Whenever I feel pain, only one thing comes to me - I recite the Hanuman Chalisa.”

The Prime Minister praised Machchhar for his courage and presence of mind, saying the pilot had prioritised the lives of passengers despite suffering severe injuries.

What happened after Machchhar opened the cockpit door?

Once the door opened, passengers and crew were able to intervene and restrain the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots on board then helped operate the aircraft before it landed safely in Tabuk.

Reuters reported that the UAE has since classified the incident as an attempted terrorist attack and launched an investigation. Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the co-pilot and his alleged attempt to take control of the aircraft.

For Machchhar, however, the immediate story is now one of recovery.

The pilot who was badly injured inside the cockpit, suffered a fractured skull and still managed to open the door is now undergoing further treatment in Abu Dhabi.

As Modi told him during their conversation: “Your courage, your patience, and your presence of mind - in a fraction of a second you took so many decisions…”

(With inputs from agencies)