Boeing 737 MAX plunges 5,000 meters after copilot attack; passengers and off-duty pilots save flight

A Boeing 737 MAX operated by FlyDubai plunged over 5,000 meters in 92 seconds, reaching speeds near Mach 0.96, after a copilot attacked the captain. A passenger intervened, pulling the controls and saving the aircraft, which landed safely in Saudi Arabia. The incident occurred on September 30 on flight 1073 from Dubai with over 170 people aboard. After the copilot stabbed the captain, passengers subdued him. Two off-duty pilots stabilized the plane, though part of the rudder detached during the maneuver, which subjected the aircraft to forces exceeding its operational limits. The aircraft remains in Tabuk for inspection to determine if it sustained irreparable damage. The event highlights aviation safety challenges from internal threats, contrasting with past successes like the 2009 "Miracle on the Hudson," and has drawn praise for Boeing from President Donald Trump.