President Donald Trump praised the structural integrity of a Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) 737 MAX aircraft involved in an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The Flydubai flight, which was traveling to Israel, made an emergency landing after the pilot was allegedly stabbed by the co-pilot during a cockpit altercation.
Trump took to Truth Social early Thursday to laud the aircraft's resilience. He stated that the plane withstood forces "far beyond" its design specifications. The President commended CEO Kelly Ortberg and Boeing's officers for the aircraft's survival and highlighted the "precise and powerful structural planning and design" that allowed the jet to survive a rapid descent.
According to reports, the aircraft descended approximately 17,400 feet in under two minutes. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the incident as a suspected terror attack. Trump noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed him that a passenger with no flying experience took control of the aircraft after hearing screams from the cockpit and helped level the plane.
In other Boeing-related news, the company secured a U.S. Navy contract worth up to $20 billion on Tuesday to develop its next-generation fighter jet. This contract, which beat out Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE: NOC), covers test aircraft and weapons-integration testing. Additionally, Trump recently credited Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and the Commerce Department for supporting Boeing's deal with Turkish Airlines for 150 737 MAX aircraft, as well as a deal with Biman Bangladesh Airlines for 11 aircraft.
On a year-to-date basis, Boeing stock has declined 14.31%. During Thursday's pre-market session, the stock was trading 0.48% higher at $186.60.
