As we told you earlier, there was an attempted hijacking aboard a passenger jet flying from Dubai to Israel. One of the pilots reportedly stabbed the other and attempted to crash the plane. Fortunately, other passengers and crew were able to access the cockpit and subdue the attacker. The stabbed pilot was incapacitated but there was somebody else on board who knew how to fly the plane, which eventually landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
The media immediately sprang into action. Multiple outlets, like The New York Times, used the word "altercation" to describe what took place in the cockpit. And just like that, the Times earned another Community Note:
Breaking news: A plane flying from Dubai to Israel was diverted after an altercation between the pilot and co-pilot, Israeli officials said. https://t.co/VVuUXKUrPY
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 30, 2026
That's the "fiery but mostly peaceful hijacking" post of the day.
Did this altercation perhaps involve an Omani terrorist trying to murder a pilot and then nose-dive a plane full of Israeli passengers into the ground? https://t.co/WOKh71M7He
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) September 30, 2026
Perhaps!
But the Times' PR department's defense of the original post and story has also caught plenty of attention for unintentional reasons.
Our headlines and live coverage contain all the facts we're able to confirm as we confirm them. Unlike activists and partisans, we don't publish speculation or unverified information. Here's a Gift Link to follow along as we update our reporting:https://t.co/TL1k9Ha6lP https://t.co/xmbC7vbqP7
— NYTimes Communications (@NYTimesPR) September 30, 2026
We lost it at "unlike activists and partisans." You probably did too.
"our coverage contains all the facts, unlike activists and partisans" is a nominee for most unintentionally hilarious tweet of all time
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) September 30, 2026
"Unlike activists and partisans, we don't publish speculation or unverified information."
— Okham Man (@OckhamMan) September 30, 2026
Best joke I've heard today. Thanks.
It's a joke alright, just not the "ha ha" kind.
It was an attempted hijacking based on eyewitnesses aboard the plane who recorded it.
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) September 30, 2026
The fact that you have a PR team dedicated to posting messages like this is usually a good indicator that your reporting is shit. https://t.co/fPAV8lpczH
— Frosty (@FrostyTakes) September 30, 2026
No kidding.
Uh... You published an article with the false claim that Israel used rape dogs on Palestinian prisoners.
— RBe (@RBPundit) September 30, 2026
Do you think we don't know who you are? https://t.co/eigz3EkHQq
“Unlike activists and partisans”?? Actually, that’s a rather apt way to describe NYT coverage on everything Israel-Gaza related. https://t.co/zfIqOH82iF
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) September 30, 2026
And if the "Gaza Health Ministry" tells the Times anything, they pass it along like it's the total truth.
The interesting thing about ‘journalism’ is that it’ll dig a hole and bury itself, and we’ll only be responsible for dancing on the grave. Nice and efficient. 🥳🎉 https://t.co/uSHLlSRhOd
— Super Journalist (Retired) - JOURN-EL of Skrypton (@Magnum_CK) September 30, 2026
At least they're making it easy.
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