Abu Dhabi/IBNS, Oct. 6 -- India's 'hero' pilot Smit Machchhar suffered a skull fracture after being struck by his co-pilot, who had allegedly attempted to crash the Tel Aviv-bound flydubai plane last week, NDTV reported.

The injury occurred during the mid-air confrontation inside the cockpit as Machchhar reportedly fought to prevent the co-pilot from taking control of the aircraft.

Machchhar underwent emergency treatment in Saudi Arabia, where doctors reportedly reconstructed his skull before he was flown to the UAE.

A depressed skull fracture can be serious as the fractured bone may press against or injure the brain.

He was admitted to a military hospital in Saudi Arabia, where he is being monitored by specialised doctors.

According...