{
  "id": 12526918,
  "title": "The blows that nearly brought down FZ1073",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/the-blows-that-nearly-brought-down-fz1073",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-07T02:30:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/flydubai-pilot-suffered-depressed-skull-fracture-while-fighting-off-co-pilot-who-attacked-him-with-axe/articleshow/134754078.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Captain Smit Machchhar's heroic efforts to save flydubai flight FZ1073 have taken on new significance following revelations about the severe injuries he sustained during the cockpit assault by co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, who wielded an axe. According to sources close to Times of India, Machchhar endured a depressed fracture of the skull, a condition where a fragment of the skull is driven inward towards the brain. He underwent emergency surgery in Saudi Arabia before being transported to the UAE for additional treatment. Dr (Air Cmde) Krishan Kumar Yadav, a senior neurosurgery expert, explained that such a fracture necessitates meticulous surgical procedures, including careful incision to remove the pressed-in fragment and assessment of the protective brain membrane for any tears. The Indian embassy in the UAE reported that Machchhar is progressing steadily and regaining his health. However, Dr Yadav cautioned that recovery from such injuries can be a lengthy process, potentially involving periods of fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating, which are normal but do not indicate a worsening condition.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}