President Donald Trump praised Boeing and its 737 MAX after a FlyDubai jet survived a dramatic plunge during an apparent attempt to crash the Israel-bound aircraft with more than 170 people aboard.
Trump congratulated the U.S. aerospace giant Thursday, singling out the aircraft’s ability to withstand the extreme forces it encountered during the midair emergency.
“Congratulations to the GREAT Boeing Company for producing a plane, the 737 Max, that was able to withstand G Forces and Strain far beyond what it was designed and expected to do,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“It was an amazing show of precise and powerful structural planning and design. It is about time that The Boeing Company, which builds, by far, the finest commercial airliners in the sky, was given credit for this airplane’s incredible ‘genius!’ To Kelly Ortberg, and all of his officers and associates at Boeing, congratulations on a job well done!!!”
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Trump’s praise came after FlyDubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds Wednesday as a violent attack unfolded in the cockpit.
Israeli officials said the co-pilot attacked the captain in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft. The wounded captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker before reserve crew members aboard the flight took control and landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Passengers have been praised for intervening as the aircraft rapidly lost altitude.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA | THE BOEING CO. | 186.05 | -1.63 | -0.87% |
All passengers were safe and accounted for following the emergency landing. Both pilots were hospitalized after sustaining injuries, according to Tabuk airport officials.
FlyDubai has said the underlying reasons for the incident remain unknown and cautioned against “premature speculation.” The United Arab Emirates launched an investigation Thursday to determine the circumstances and motives, including whether the incident was connected to terrorist activity or involved prior planning or direction.
Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have praised the flight’s captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, for his actions during the emergency.
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Netanyahu told Fox News that Machchhar had apparently been stabbed or struck with an axe by the other pilot and had bled profusely.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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