Investigation into the crash of a Ryanair Boeing 737 Max in 17 seconds from a height of 600 metres during the flight to London Stansted

It has emerged that an investigation has been launched after a Boeing 737 Max aircraft operated by Ryanair crashed at alarming speed while approaching London Stansted Airport.

Flight data shows that flight FR1269 descended more than 2,000 feet in just 17 seconds on December 4 last year.

The shocking incident occurred on the two-hour flight from Klagenfurt, Austria, when the aircraft’s descent rate exceeded 8,000 feet per minute at low altitude.

Miraculously, none of the passengers or crew members on board the 197-seat aircraft were injured, the newspaper “I” reported.

Ryanair acknowledged that an “unstable approach” had occurred before landing and confirmed its cooperation with the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

Aviation analysts have expressed deep concern, particularly in light of the ongoing problems surrounding the 737 Max, including recent whistleblower allegations and the January incident in which a door came off a jet in mid-flight.

The AAIB incident report describes the aircraft as exhibiting “high speed and a severe nose-down pitch” during a go-around.

In this maneuver, a landing attempt is aborted and the climb begins to circle the airport before another approach.

The Irish Aircraft Accident Investigation Unit, which supports the AAIB, also reported a “level bust”, i.e. a case in which an aircraft deviates significantly from its assigned flight altitude.

While the AAIB confirmed that the plane landed safely and without injuries, it said the investigation was nearing completion and results were expected in the autumn.

The cause of the incident is still unclear. Possible factors include design problems with the aircraft, pilot error or problems with air traffic control.

In particular, flight records show that the aircraft was out of service for two days following the incident, raising questions about potential problems with the relatively new Boeing aircraft.

Analysis of the flight data suggests that the aircraft made a steady descent to 2,350 feet before aborting the landing.

During the subsequent go-around, the altitude dropped abruptly from 4,425 feet to 2,300 feet in just 17 seconds, while the speed increased from 226 miles per hour to 321 miles per hour.

The aircraft eventually stabilized and landed safely at Stansted about ten minutes later in light rain and cloudy skies.

An AAIB spokesman said: “We are unable to provide any further details at this time as the serious incident remains under investigation.

“We can report that the aircraft landed safely and there are no reports of injuries to passengers or crew. The investigation is nearing completion and will likely be released sometime this fall.”

A Ryanair spokesman said: “This was a case of an unstable approach. The crew performed a go-around and landed normally on the second approach, in accordance with Ryanair’s procedures.”

“Ryanair has reported this matter to the AAIB in accordance with our operations manual. We have provided full details to this routine AAIB investigation and are cooperating fully. We are unable to comment further until the AAIB has completed its review of this flight.”

The approach of an aircraft, the critical final phase of flight of about 16 kilometers before touchdown, is subject to strict regulations. These rules prescribe permissible speed, altitude and rate of descent.

Any deviation from these parameters makes the approach “unstable”, a situation that can compromise safety during the landing phase.

Of particular concern is the incident involving Ryanair’s Boeing 737 Max at Stansted. It was one of only six air accidents in the UK last year that warranted a full investigation by the AAIB.

Among those rare cases that required further investigation by the AAIB, the Ryanair flight appears to have been the only incident involving an unstable approach.

Boeing, London Stansted Airport and the UK Civil Aviation Authority declined to comment while the investigation is ongoing.