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NYT Faces Backlash for Calling Flydubai Stabbing an Altercation, Clarifies

News outlets revised early coverage after reports said a flydubai co-pilot stabbed the captain and the plane dropped nearly 14,000 feet, officials said.

  • Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
  • The aircraft rapidly descended or lost thousands of feet, while passengers and crew entered the cockpit and subdued the co-pilot; the plane later landed safely.
  • The New York Times initially described the incident as an “altercation,” prompting online criticism that the wording minimized a possible hijacking attempt.
  • The Times defended its coverage, saying it reported only verifiable facts while investigators examined the co-pilot’s unknown motive.
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Townhall broke the news in Washington, United States on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
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