# Flydubai flight plunge simulation

> Aviation instructor recreates 4,800m plunge in 30 seconds.
- Title: Flydubai flight plunge simulation · The Straits Times
- Summary: Aviation instructor recreates 4,800m plunge in 30 seconds. Flydubai flight FZ1073 plunged 4,800m in 30 seconds after co-pilot attacked pilot, landing safely…
- Keywords: flydubai, fz1073, boeing 737 max 8, co-pilot, pilot, september 30, vertical roller coaster, autopilot, terrorist attack, passenger intervention, news, world
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/like-a-vertical-roller-coaster-simulating-flight-fz1073s-sudden-plunge
- Published: 2026-10-04T10:03:39+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: flydubai, fz1073, boeing 737 max 8, co-pilot, pilot, september 30, vertical roller coaster, autopilot, terrorist attack, passenger intervention, news, world
## Flight FZ1073 plunge
Aviation instructor says flydubai flight FZ1073 plunged over 4,800m in 30 seconds after co-pilot attacked pilot.

> Like a ‘vertical roller coaster’: Simulating flight FZ1073’s sudden plunge
## Co-pilot attack
Co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami attacked pilot with emergency crash axe, described as a terrorist attack.

> terrorist attack
## Simulator recreation
Aviation instructor recreated the plunge in flight simulator, noting autopilot disconnection caused rapid acceleration.
## Passenger intervention
Passengers overpowered co-pilot, allowing reserve crew to land Boeing 737 MAX 8 safely.
## President Trump praise
President Trump praised Boeing 737 MAX 8 for withstanding extreme forces during the incident.

> It was an amazing show of precise and powerful structural planning and design
## Co-pilot background
Co-pilot has rejected airline applications and studied aviation management with Australian links under investigation.

> Royal Air Maroc told Reuters he did a three-month training with the airline in 2025 but his application to work there afterwards was rejected
## Key takeaway

Flydubai flight FZ1073 plunged 4,800m in 30 seconds after co-pilot attacked pilot, landing safely with passenger intervention.