What happened
On November 17, 2015, an Boeing 777-200ER operated by EgyptAir was en route from Moscow to Cairo when it encountered a catastrophic event. During the flight, while at cruise altitude, the aircraft began a rapid and steep descent. The descent rate accelerated to approximately 6,000 feet per minute, accompanied by a significant reduction in airspeed.
At 0613LT, all communication via radio and radar tracking was lost. The wreckage of the aircraft was subsequently located in a desert region situated roughly 50 km southeast of Hasna, within the Sinai Peninsula. The impact and subsequent post-crash fire caused extensive destruction to the central fuselage and wings. Investigation of the debris field, which covered an area of 16 km2, revealed that the engines and tail section were separated from the main wreckage by several hundred meters. Evidence suggests the aircraft may have undergone partial disintegration during the final stages of its descent.
Findings
There were 224 fatalities and no survivors among the 217 passengers and seven crew members. The investigation into the crash dynamics focused on the sudden loss of altitude and the physical breakup of the airframe.