Flydubai aircraft reached near-supersonic speeds, extreme airframe stress levels - report
“I’m not sure it can ever be used again,” said Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University aerodynamicist Tony Farina, who has worked with the US Air Force and NASA on aviation-related projects.
A Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX aircraft experienced near-supersonic speeds, extreme airframe stress levels, and a 17,000-foot descent during an attempted hijacking, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The aircraft reached an estimated speed of Mach 0.96, which is slightly above the speed of sound (Mach 1.0). This speed is higher than the aircraft's maximum operating speed (MMO) of Mach 0.82, which can cause damage to the plane.
The stress on the aircraft led to a significant portion of the rudder breaking off, as it controls the plane's yaw (side-to-side) movement. The aircraft fell at a steep 39-degree angle, falling over 17,400 feet in 92 seconds, which is far steeper than the standard descent angle of 3 degrees. The plane was then recovered and flown for over an hour by a second pair of pilots before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The plane's altitude fluctuated by about 500 feet at a time during this time, indicating difficulty maintaining straight-and-level flight. Experts suggest that the aircraft may need a complete and thorough inspection before it can be used again. Boeing declined to comment on the incident.
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