Qatar Airways is investigating reports of a plane dropping 1,000 feet shortly after take-off last month. AP
Qatar Airways is investigating reports of a plane dropping 1,000 feet shortly after take-off last month. AP
Qatar Airways is investigating reports of a plane dropping 1,000 feet shortly after take-off last month. AP
Qatar Airways is investigating reports of a plane dropping 1,000 feet shortly after take-off last month. AP

Gulf

Qatar Airways flight plunges 1,000 feet on trip from Doha to Copenhagen

Pilot blamed as plane fell for 24 seconds to just 850 feet above the ground before climbing again

Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan

February 08, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

Qatar Airways said it was carrying out an investigation following reports of a pilot losing control and causing a plane to plummet 1,000 feet (304 metres) on a recent flight from Doha to Copenhagen.

The Aviation Herald, a website that reports accidents and incidents in commercial aviation, said how a Boeing 787-8 lost 1,000 feet moments after taking off from Doha on its way to Copenhagen last month.

The plane continued to fall for 24 seconds before climbing again when it was 850 feet above the ground.

The aviation industry website reported the rapid fall was down to the first officer, who was flying the plane manually, losing “situational awareness”.

“Qatar Airways is aware of an event relating to flight QR161 operating from Doha to Copenhagen on January 10, 2023,” said a company representative.

“It was immediately reported to authorities and an internal investigation is being carried out.

“The airline follows the most stringent standards of safety, training and reporting and is working to address any findings in line with industry norms.”

The world's safest airlines in 2023 — in pictures

1. Qantas. The airline has taken first place in AirlineRatings.com's annual list of the safest airlines around the globe. Photo: AFP
1. Qantas. The airline has taken first place in AirlineRatings.com's annual list of the safest airlines around the globe. Photo: AFP
2. Air New Zealand. The airline has slipped down from first to second place in the ranking of 385 global airlines. Photo: AP
2. Air New Zealand. The airline has slipped down from first to second place in the ranking of 385 global airlines. Photo: AP
3. Etihad Airways. The national carrier of the UAE is the highest-ranked Middle Eastern airline in the list. Photo: Etihad
3. Etihad Airways. The national carrier of the UAE is the highest-ranked Middle Eastern airline in the list. Photo: Etihad
4. Qatar Airways. In fourth place, it's one of three Middle Eastern airlines in the top 20. Reuters
4. Qatar Airways. In fourth place, it's one of three Middle Eastern airlines in the top 20. Reuters
5. Singapore Airlines. The carrier has slipped down one place from fourth. Reuters
5. Singapore Airlines. The carrier has slipped down one place from fourth. Reuters
6. TAP Air Portugal is the flag carrier airline of Portugal and ranks sixth in the 2023 ranking. Reuters / Rafael Marchante
6. TAP Air Portugal is the flag carrier airline of Portugal and ranks sixth in the 2023 ranking. Reuters / Rafael Marchante
7. Emirates. The Dubai airline has climbed 13 places to rank as the seventh-safest airline in the world. Photo: Emirates
7. Emirates. The Dubai airline has climbed 13 places to rank as the seventh-safest airline in the world. Photo: Emirates
8. Alaska Airlines. The carrier ranked the eighth-safest airline in the world for 2023. Photo: David Ryder / Bloomberg
8. Alaska Airlines. The carrier ranked the eighth-safest airline in the world for 2023. Photo: David Ryder / Bloomberg
9. EVA Air. The Taiwanese airline holds its ninth place from 2022. EPA-EFE
9. EVA Air. The Taiwanese airline holds its ninth place from 2022. EPA-EFE
10. Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic. The airline rounds out the top 10. Photo: AFP
10. Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic. The airline rounds out the top 10. Photo: AFP
11. Cathay Pacific. The Hong Kong airline ranks as one of the world's safest. Reuters
11. Cathay Pacific. The Hong Kong airline ranks as one of the world's safest. Reuters
12. Hawaiian Airlines. The carrier sits 12th in the list. Reuters
12. Hawaiian Airlines. The carrier sits 12th in the list. Reuters
13. SAS. The Scandinavian airline has fallen seven places in 2023. Photo: Carsten Snejbjerg / Bloomberg
13. SAS. The Scandinavian airline has fallen seven places in 2023. Photo: Carsten Snejbjerg / Bloomberg
14. United Airlines. The carrier is one of several US airlines in the ranking. AP Photo
14. United Airlines. The carrier is one of several US airlines in the ranking. AP Photo
15. Lufthansa. The German air carrier holds the 15th spot in the annual safety ranking. Reuters
15. Lufthansa. The German air carrier holds the 15th spot in the annual safety ranking. Reuters
16. Finland's largest and flag carrier Finnair is the world's sixteenth safest airline. ReuterS / Phil Noble
16. Finland's largest and flag carrier Finnair is the world's sixteenth safest airline. ReuterS / Phil Noble
17. British Airways. The UK's flag carrier ranks in the world's safest airlines. Reuters
17. British Airways. The UK's flag carrier ranks in the world's safest airlines. Reuters
18. KLM. The flag carrier of the Netherlands holds a spot in the top 20. Reuters
18. KLM. The flag carrier of the Netherlands holds a spot in the top 20. Reuters
19. American Airlines. The carrier has slipped to 19th in the annual list. Reuters / Joshua Roberts
19. American Airlines. The carrier has slipped to 19th in the annual list. Reuters / Joshua Roberts
20. Delta Air Lines. The US airline rounds out the top 20. AP Photo
20. Delta Air Lines. The US airline rounds out the top 20. AP Photo
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Updated: February 08, 2023, 1:02 PM
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