Full Breakdown
Trump Praises Boeing After Flydubai 737 MAX Plunge, Citing “Incredible” Structural Design
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On the morning of a Wednesday flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 experienced a rapid descent after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain. The aircraft lost roughly 14,000 feet in 29 seconds, descending at a rate of about 31,000 feet per minute and briefly exceeding its certified speed envelope before stabilizing and landing safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Background & Context
The recent emergency therefore marks a notable reversal in his public stance toward the aircraft.
Data & Statistics
- Passengers: 174 people were aboard the flight, according to Forbes.
- Altitude loss: Flight-tracking data showed a drop from 30,875 feet to 16,750 feet in 29 seconds.
- Descent rate: Approximately 31,000 feet per minute, far steeper than a standard emergency descent.
- Speed: Ground speed rose from roughly 400 knots to nearly 600 knots during the plunge, surpassing the 737 MAX’s certified maximum operating speed of Mach 0.82 (? 473 knots).
- Damage: Photos taken after landing revealed a large section of the aircraft’s rudder missing.
Official Statements & Responses
President Trump told reporters that he had spoken “at length” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the event. Trump also relayed Netanyahu’s account of an Israeli plumber who, after watching the TV series *Air Disasters*, allegedly took the control stick and leveled the aircraft.
Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, praised the captain—identified as Indian pilot Smit Machchhar—and the intervening passengers for averting a “catastrophic mid-air disaster.”
Flydubai announced a temporary suspension of flights to and from Israel while a formal investigation continues.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I did speak to Bibi Netanyahu at length about this event.” — Donald Trump, president
- “Having never flown a plane, he took the stick, lifted it up, and leveled out the plane before it crashed,” — Donald Trump, president
- “I think it’s an incredible story,” — Donald Trump, president
- “When asked why he did that, he said, ‘He watches that show Air Disasters,’” — Donald Trump, president
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Co-pilot identity: Some sources name the co-pilot as an Omani national employed by Flydubai for nine months, while others state that the co-pilot’s identity has not been released.
- Speed exceedance: Analyses suggest the aircraft may have exceeded its maximum operating speed, but official flight-data-recorder results have not yet been published, leaving the exact magnitude of the overload uncertain.
- Rudder damage cause: Photographs confirm a missing rudder section, yet it remains unclear whether the loss resulted from excessive speed, extreme maneuvering, or another factor.
What’s Next
The investigation by Saudi and UAE aviation authorities, along with Flydubai’s internal review, will determine the precise cause of the cockpit altercation, the extent of the aircraft’s structural stress, and any regulatory implications for the 737 MAX fleet. The airline’s suspension of Israel-bound flights remains in effect pending the outcome.