- Trump praised the Boeing 737 MAX design, calling it a ‘genius’ after a FlyDubai incident where the aircraft safely landed despite severe challenges, including a co-pilot attack.
- The aircraft, a MAX 8, plummeted about 17,400 feet in less than two minutes as the two pilots fought for control after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar.
- Passengers and crew members subdued the co-pilot after Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing off-duty pilots to take control of the aircraft.
- The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with the original two pilots hospitalized and Israeli passengers flown to Ben Gurion International Airport on a second aircraft.
- Israeli PM Netanyahu praised Machchhar and the passengers and crew for their actions that prevented a potential catastrophe during the incident.
- Trump congratulated Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg for a job well done, emphasizing the aircraft's structural integrity during the incident.
- The 737 MAX has faced scrutiny after two fatal crashes involving Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines, which killed a combined 346 people.
- Despite past challenges, the 737 MAX has become Boeing's best-selling aircraft line, with over 2,300 units operating worldwide.
President Trump hailed the Boeing 737 MAX 8 as a 'genius' design following a harrowing incident involving a FlyDubai flight. The aircraft, which was en route to Tel Aviv from Dubai, experienced a near-hijacking when the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar.1234101112131415
Despite the chaos, the 737 MAX 8 managed to withstand severe G-forces, plummeting nearly 17,400 feet in under two minutes. The captain, though injured, successfully opened the cockpit door and called for help, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the assailant.
Trump's comments marked a significant shift in his perspective on the aircraft, which he previously criticized as 'unattractive, fat, and slow.' He praised the plane's structural integrity, stating, 'It was an amazing show of precise and powerful structural planning and design.' The incident has drawn attention to the aircraft's safety features, including cockpit-door systems that allow pilots to override electronic locks, a standard implemented after the 9/11 attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended Machchhar and the passengers for their bravery, stating they prevented a potential catastrophe. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the original pilots were hospitalized.78
The 737 MAX faced scrutiny after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, which killed 346 people and led to a grounding of the fleet. Boeing has since redesigned the aircraft's software system, which remains integral to its operation.
“The aircraft plunged nearly 17,000 feet in about 29 seconds, tearing off part of its rudder, but Captain Smit Machchhar opened the cockpit door and helped subdue the attacking co-pilot. Israeli PM Netanyahu said Machchhar and the passengers prevented a catastrophe; the flight landed in Tabuk with 174 passengers, mostly Israelis.”
