The 38-year-old captain was struck from behind with a crash axe by co-pilot Hamad Al-Hammami, who allegedly tried to take control of the aircraft carrying more than 170 passengers and crew, according to reports. Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who helped prevent a possible attempt to crash a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, suffered a severe depressed skull fracture after being attacked by his Omani co-pilot inside the cockpit.
How long does recovery take?
In serious cases requiring surgery, the first stage of recovery involves treatment of the fracture, management of pain, and monitoring for complications. Bone healing can take several weeks, while recovery from an associated traumatic brain injury can take considerably longer. Patients may continue to experience symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, memory problems or changes in mood for months, depending on the extent of the injury.
What are the symptoms?
Because displaced bone fragments may injure the brain, while some fractures can heal without surgery, depressed fractures can require urgent medical treatment. Machchhar was also reported to have suffered injuries to his limbs, chest and upper abdomen.
Sources said Machchhar suffered a “depressed fracture — fragment of skull” during the attack. A team of specialist doctors has been monitoring his condition, with sources saying he is “responding well” to treatment and showing “positive recovery”, the NDTV report added. He underwent emergency treatment in Saudi Arabia, where doctors reconstructed the damaged section of his skull, before he was flown to the UAE for further treatment. A skull fracture can occur after a serious blow to the head, including in vehicle accidents, falls, or other high-impact injuries. He was airlifted from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi last week for advanced medical treatment and admitted to the Military Hospital.
