A Fly Dubai Boeing 737 MAX experienced a catastrophic nosedive at 34,000 feet, reaching Mach 0.96—near the speed of sound—after an attack by the first officer. The aircraft plunged 17,400 feet in 92 seconds, subjecting the airframe to 3 Gs of force, exceeding its 2.5 G limit. Despite losing part of the rudder and suffering structural damage, the pilots regained control by 9:24 a.m. and safely landed at Tabuk Airport after over an hour of unstable flight.
The incident highlights the resilience of the 737 MAX, which has faced scrutiny following two fatal crashes. Investigators are analyzing black box data, including wind and temperature factors. Experts like Tony Farina of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University question whether the aircraft can fly again, citing the need for a thorough inspection. Boeing declined to comment, but the event underscores the plane’s structural integrity under extreme stress.
Source: Wall Street Journal US Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing