Passengers later described moments of intense fear as the aircraft descended. One traveler, Iype Vallikadan, told reporters that the pilot had warned the cabin of a potential landing gear problem shortly before touchdown and informed them that an emergency landing would be necessary. According to accounts carried by international news agencies, the calm but urgent tone of the announcement prepared passengers for what was about to unfold.
Initial statements from Emirates suggested there may have been wind shear conditions at the time of landing. Wind shear, a sudden change in wind speed or direction, is a known aviation hazard that can complicate approaches, particularly during hot weather conditions common in the region. While the airline acknowledged the presence of such conditions, officials emphasized that it was too early to determine whether wind shear played a direct role in the crash-landing.
