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Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar Medical Report Reveals Skull Fracture and Blurred Vision
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CNBC Awaaz•06-10-2026, 16:07
Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar Medical Report Reveals Skull Fracture and Blurred Vision
- •Flydubai flight FZ1073 Captain Smit Machchhar suffered severe injuries, including a depressed skull fracture and blurred vision, during a cockpit attack on September 30.
- •The Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Machchhar with a crash axe and a knife shortly after takeoff from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- •Despite heavy bleeding and severe injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the attacker.
- •The aircraft plummeted 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- •Machchhar is currently recovering in Abu Dhabi, undergoing neurological evaluations, and has expressed a strong desire to fly again.
Key Questions Answered
Captain Smit Machchhar sustained a depressed skull fracture, injuries to his hands, legs, chest, and upper abdomen, and suffered from severely blurred vision and a persistent severe headache following the attack on September 30.
Despite severe injuries, heavy bleeding, and a rapid aircraft descent of 14,000 feet, Captain Machchhar mustered his remaining strength to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers, crew, and off-duty pilots to overpower the attacker and stabilize the plane.
The Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked Captain Machchhar from behind with a crash axe and a knife shortly after takeoff on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
