Trump lauds Boeing after FlyDubai 737 MAX survives midair attack
President Donald Trump praised Boeing's 737 MAX after a FlyDubai flight survived a violent cockpit incident that caused a rapid 14,000-foot descent, with all passengers safe following an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
A FlyDubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv dropped nearly 14,000 feet in less than half a minute on Wednesday after a violent incident in the cockpit, but landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials said the co-pilot attacked the captain in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. The captain unlocked the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker, and reserve crew members took control of the plane.
All 170-plus passengers and crew were accounted for after the emergency landing, though both pilots were hospitalized with injuries. The United Arab Emirates opened an investigation to determine the cause and whether the event was linked to terrorism or prior planning.
President Donald Trump posted on his social platform praising Boeing, stating the aircraft withstood forces beyond its design specifications and calling the company "the finest commercial airliner" builder. He congratulated Boeing executives for the "incredible genius" of the plane.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also commended the flight’s captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, for his actions during the crisis.