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For comparison, the space shuttle ‘only’ descended at 12,000 feet per minute on final approach.

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Alex Macheras

@AlexInAir

Severe damage to the aircraft involved in the FlyDubai incident, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, following the ‘forced’ descent (from 30,000ft to around 15,000ft in just approx 30 secs) during the time of an incident in the flight deck (involving pilots, and reportedly some passengers)

9:51 AM · Sep 30, 2026

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Forger Stucky

@Stuck4ger

What was the typical ROD, say 1/2 way through the HAC?

2.5K

Scott Manley

@DJSnM

I had to look that up, it’s not much higher. But entering into the terminal area energy management phase they drop at around 17,000fpm from 80,000’

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D. Stamos/Helodriver

@SpacecoastPix

That aircraft definitely went through the sound barrier on the way down. 30,000 ft per minute descent rate.

2.7K

Scott Manley

@DJSnM

Yep, but this is not how we want the return of supersonic air travel to happen.

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KyleH

@HippchenK

I don't believe any of these number right now. But what I want to see are the bolts hold the vertical stab and horizontal stab on. Additionally, I'd like to see the bolts that hold the engines on. The structural engineers are going to have a field day.

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Astro Drift X

@AstroDrift_x

That forced descent rate makes the Space Shuttle look gentle by comparison. Incredible how airliners can survive those kinds of forces

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CrankyBoomer

@RocketkenOG

We can MEL the rudder, right?

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jacobruh 🚀

@jrxcket

30,000 feet per minute descent is fucking insane

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Jared

@NoMarginGuy

If you have to lose a control surface.. that's probably the best one. I hope everyone was seated with their belts tight around their waist. Otherwise.. people were bouncing off the ceiling.

The pilot that managed to land that airplane had mad skills. I’ll buy his book.

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Ben "Manacaster" Kelly

@ManacasterBen

sounds like some number of unfortunate souls aboard just got their first involuntary Vomit Comet experience, courtesy of some others assholes aboard.

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L A B

@L_a_n_e_B

Engines had to over rev and now need to be replaced. Expensive 30 seconds

It was an attempted terrorist attack

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Shane

@Shane_H_Ward

No Muslim fanatics were piloting the space shuttle.

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Jay Patel

@jayypatel18

12,000 feet a minute is 200 feet every second. with a crew on board. and that was the calm part

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Brian Eastwood

@BrianEastwood7

It's falling with style.

crazy.

12.000 feet =3,658 meters

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leon wetsaitl

@yoke_and_puck

Boeing should trade a new MAX for that one and do a structure study on it to see how it held up.

Andrew Hodgins

@AndrewHodgins80

Makes me wonder, did they get into the cockpit with the bulkhead as the floor? Did they have to climb down the aisle to get to tge door?

The pullout of that dive must have been insane. I wonder if that airframe will be retired.

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Brian_Henderson

@brian_henderson

15000 ft in 30 seconds translates into ~3 miles in 30 seconds … a vertical drop that exceeded 360 mph vertically (average including acceleration and deceleration at FL30 and FL15). Expect the rudder enter a flutter state; either before, or during the insulting dive.

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ռօɮʟɛɛӼƈǟʟɨɮʊʀ

@NobleExcalibur

People quoting how the plane can’t survive without this part of its tail. Insane how many people this sort of thing brings out from under their bridges. Simply because country X is involved somehow