A flydubai flight from Dubai (DXB) to Tel Aviv (TLV), was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Sept. 30, when the captain was allegedly stabbed by his co-pilot mid-flight. The cockpit incident on flight FZ1073, triggered two sudden and extreme altitude drops, leaving the Boeing 737 briefly out of control before stabilising.
What Happened in the Cockpit?
Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly attacked by his co-pilot during the flight. In a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar recounted the incident:
“When I was down, I could feel that the aircraft was plummeting, and I knew this is a last chance to do something. I knew the door was just there.”
Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to help restrain the co-pilot. Additional pilots were able to then able to regain control of the plane.
The aircraft was then diverted to Tabuk Airport (TUU), Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. All passengers survived the incident.
The Sudden Drop
The aircraft reached an altitude of 34,000 feet (10.4 kilometres) before dropping roughly 14,000 feet (4.3 kilometres) in less than a minute, according to figures available on flightradar24. The aircraft began climbing again but then entered another rapid descent.
Reuters reported that the aircraft dropped more than 16,000 feet (4.9 kilometres) in 30 seconds in its most extreme drop.
What Happens When A Plane Plummets?
When an aircraft suddenly accelerates downward, passengers can feel lighter because their seats are no longer pushing against them with the same force as during normal level flight. This sensation is similar to the the start of a steep rollercoaster drop.
If the aircraft’s downward acceleration becomes strong enough, passengers who are not secured with a seat belt may be thrown from their seats. This can cause injuries during abrupt aircraft movements.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advises passengers to keep their seat belts fastened at all times when seated to protect them against sudden changes in altitude, including turbulence.
Have you ever experienced a sudden drop or rapid descent on a flight? Let us know in the comments.
