Trump credits Boeing after attempted hijacking of Flydubai 737 Max

President Donald Trump praised Boeing on Wednesday over the performance of the 737 Max 8 involved in an attempted hijacking aboard a Flydubai flight, writing on social media that the aircraft withstood forces beyond its design limits.

According to the account, the plane dropped roughly 17,400 feet in under two minutes as the two pilots struggled for control. Israeli officials said one pilot stabbed the other and then tried to bring the aircraft down. That pilot was taken out of the cockpit and restrained by passengers and crew, and two off-duty pilots took over the controls.

Few details have been released about the aircraft's speed or its attitude during the descent. One passenger told Israeli media that he pulled back on the yoke to level the plane before handing the controls to the second set of pilots, and credited the documentary series Mayday with showing him how to recover from a dive.

Trump wrote that Boeing builds the finest commercial airliners and said its employees deserved credit for the aircraft's design. He addressed his congratulations to Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg and the company's officers and staff.

The president's message came as the passengers and crew involved continued to be debriefed on the event.