Flydubai FZ1073 Plunged 16,000 Feet in 30 Seconds, Simulator Shows

Post by : Saif

Flydubai flight FZ1073 went through a dramatic 16,000-foot plunge in around 30 seconds after the captain was attacked by the co-pilot, according to an aviation simulator recreation.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was flying from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday when the incident unfolded. The aircraft was later levelled and landed safely in Saudi Arabia after passengers overpowered the co-pilot and a reserve crew took control.

An aviation instructor who recreated the flight in a simulator described the sudden descent as similar to a “vertical roller coaster.”

What Happened During the Sudden Descent

Alberto Paduanelli, an aviation instructor and owner of a flight simulation company in southern England, recreated the reported flight path for Reuters.

He said the aircraft dropped about 16,000 feet, or 4,877 metres, in roughly 30 seconds. Such a rapid change in altitude would create powerful forces inside the cabin.

Passengers who were not wearing seat belts could have been lifted from their seats during the sudden descent, according to Paduanelli. He said the experience would be very different from a normal roller coaster because passengers would not know when the aircraft was about to drop.

The aircraft's autopilot disconnected before the descent began in the simulator recreation, allowing the jet to accelerate rapidly.

Read more: Air Cambodia’s Boeing Deal Signals New Chapter in US–Cambodia Relations

Co-Pilot Accused of Attacking Captain

The United Arab Emirates prosecutor general has described the incident as a terrorist attack.

According to the investigation, the co-pilot attacked the captain with an emergency crash axe while the aircraft was flying toward Israel. Passengers then intervened and overpowered the co-pilot.

The co-pilot was identified by sources familiar with the investigation as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national. UAE authorities have not immediately confirmed his identity publicly.

Flydubai has said the circumstances remain under investigation and has not provided further details.

Passengers Helped Save the Flight

The aircraft was eventually brought back under control after passengers restrained the co-pilot. A reserve crew of pilots who were onboard then helped operate the aircraft.

The plane was levelled after the steep descent and later landed safely, preventing what could have been a much more serious aviation disaster.

US President Donald Trump praised the Boeing 737 MAX 8, saying the aircraft had survived forces beyond what it was expected to handle.

Boeing has not commented on the incident.

Why the 16,000-Foot Drop Was So Dangerous

Aircraft are designed to withstand significant aerodynamic forces, but a rapid, prolonged descent at high speed can put heavy stress on the airframe.

Paduanelli said the flight placed significant pressure on the aircraft as well as passengers and crew. The combination of rapid altitude loss and increasing speed can create difficult conditions for both the aircraft structure and people inside the cabin.

The safe landing was made possible after the cockpit situation was brought under control and the reserve pilots were able to restore stable flight.

Investigation Expands Beyond the Flight

Investigators are also examining the co-pilot's background.

Royal Air Maroc said al-Hammami completed three months of training with the airline in 2025 but was not accepted for employment afterward. Buckinghamshire New University said he completed a distance-learning aviation management course but did not receive pilot training there.

Australian authorities have also said they are examining his links to Australia. A source familiar with the investigation said he had studied at a university in Melbourne.

Investigators are continuing to examine what led to the cockpit attack and how the flight was brought back under control before reaching the ground.

#trending #latest #Flydubai #FZ1073 #FlydubaiFlight #AviationNews #Boeing737MAX #FlightEmergency #AirlineNews #AviationSafety #Dubai #Israel #SaudiArabia #FlightInvestigation #BreakingNews