That is 0 articles you have read today.
The Aporia is free and carries no advertising, so readers are the only
thing paying for it. If you are getting this much out of it, a small
donation is what keeps it independent.
Daily limit reached
You have read 0 articles today.
That is more than the 15 a day The Aporia gives away,
and well past what it can carry on nothing. Your allowance resets at
midnight.
There is no advertising here and nothing about you is sold, so readers
are the only thing paying for it. If the site is worth this much of
your day, it is worth a few dollars.
Everything else stays open: the
maps, the
directory and
search do
not count against this, and neither does re-opening something you have
already read today.
Captain Dhaval Patel, who has known Smit Machchhar for nearly two decades since their training in New Zealand, spoke to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation about the stabbing incident on flydubai flight 1073. Patel described witnessing footage of the attack as "shattering" and emphasized Machchhar’s heroism in subduing his attacker and opening the cockpit door for help despite being injured. The Indian national captain is recovering steadily from his injuries in Abu Dhabi, praised by Prime Minister Modi and international leaders for averting a potential disaster.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-04,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 30, 2026, a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv signalled an emergency over Jordanian airspace, turning around shortly after and landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The plane, carrying approximately 150 passengers mostly Israeli citizens, transmitted distress signals indicating possible unlawful interference but was later found safe with no hijacking involved. Instead, the situation stemmed from a physical altercation between the pilots. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held urgent consultations and the Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets in response to initial fears of a hijack attempt.
Written for “Israel Bound Flight Diverts Due to Co…” on 2026-10-04,
grounded in this article and the 282 other(s) covering the same event.
Cpt. Dhaval Patel said he’s known veteran hero pilot Smit Machchhar for “close to two decades” as the pair trained as airmen together in New Zealand, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
uncertain
pair → say → Corporation
“I vividly remember him helping colleagues and peers, educating them on the concepts of aviation with so much clarity and knowledge,” Patel told the outlet of Machahhar, whose nickname was “Smit Mac” during pilot training.
asserted
nickname → remember → training
“I had the privilege of getting my fourth stripe on becoming a captain by his hand,” Patel said.
asserted
Patel → have → hand
The longtime pal said that as footage emerged online of the frightening alleged attack aboard flydubai flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv Wednesday, he “was just not ready to believe it was Captain Smit” who’d been stabbed.
asserted
who → say → Aviv
“When it happens to the person you know, the person you love, it breaks you,” he told ABC.
asserted
he → happen → ABC
“It just was shattering to be listening and looking at the visuals.”
asserted
It → listen → visuals
Machahhar, an Indian national, was credited with averting a possible tragedy after he reportedly fought off his treacherous first officer and managed to open the cockpit door to get help — despite his injuries.
uncertain
he → credit → injuries
Heroic passengers leapt into action to subdue the first officer and gained control of the nosediving aircraft, as two off-duty pilots on board managed to land the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar was taken to Abu Dhabi for medical treatment and was “recovering steadily, out of any danger and in good health,” Patel told the Australian publication.
asserted
Patel → leap → publication
“That was the first sight of relief, seeing he’s actually recovering and responding well to all the medical treatments,” he said.
asserted
he → see → treatments
“I have been flying for 17 years.
asserted
I → fly → years
I know what is happening in flight even with my eyes closed,” Machchhar told Modi.
asserted
Machchhar → know → Modi
“When I was on the floor, I could sense that the aircraft was going down, and then I told myself, ‘Smit, give a last push.
uncertain
I → sense → push
I was getting stabbed at that point as well, but I opened the door, and others came inside,” he recalled.
asserted
he → stab → door
Modi praised the captain for doing “such a tremendous job that not just us Indians but people worldwide want to speak and meet you.”
asserted
Indians → praise → you
Patel said he was thrilled to see his longtime aviation friend be honored by Modi as well as “leaders around the world.”
asserted
friend → say → world
“It’s pride for our entire clan to see one of our colleagues being respected by our honorary prime minister,” he said.
asserted
he → ’ → minister
The Aporia
