Investigation into crash of a Ryanair Boeing 737 in 17 seconds from a height of 600 metres at a speed of 516 km/h

A Ryanair Boeing 737-Max passenger plane is under investigation after it began a high-speed descent while approaching Stansted Airport last year.

Flight FR1269 crashed on December 4, 2023, after a two-hour flight from Klagenfurt, Austria to London at 321 miles per hour.

According to flight data, the Boeing 737 Max made a steady descent to 2,350 feet at Stansted in light rain to prepare for landing, but aborted the approach to climb for a go-around.

During the second landing attempt, the plane plunged from 4,425 feet to 2,300 feet in just 17 seconds, increasing its speed from 226 miles per hour to 321 miles per hour.

In its investigation into the “serious incident”, the British Air Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) recorded the aircraft’s steep descent as “high speed and severe nose-down pitch” during a go-around procedure.

The Ryanair Boeing performed the “unstable approach” significantly faster than the rules for an acceptable descent rate after aborting the original landing.

The Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit supported the AAIB and referred to this as a “level bust” – this occurs when an aircraft does not fly at the altitude cleared for clearance.

Ten minutes after the bumpy takeoff, the plane landed safely at London Stansted.

None of the passengers on the 197-seat plane were injured during the abrupt descent. However, flight records show that the Boeing 737 did not take off for two days following the incident.

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 cannot comment further until the AAIB has completed its review of this flight.”

The AAIB is currently conducting a detailed investigation into this rare incident. Flight FR1269 is one of only six air accidents in the UK to trigger such an investigation last year.

The AAIB said: “This serious incident remains under investigation and we are unable to provide any further details at this time.”

“The aircraft landed safely and no injuries to passengers or crew were reported. The investigation is nearing completion and will likely be released sometime this fall.”

Just last week, a Korean Air flight had to be diverted due to a serious defect after reaching an altitude of 26,900 feet in just 15 minutes, requiring 17 passengers to be hospitalized.

Passengers on Korean Air flight KE189 reportedly suffered from hyperventilation and ear pain, and 17 people had to be hospitalized after landing in Taichung, Taiwan.