Gulf Air Flight 072, a Boeing 767-300ER, was operating a scheduled flight from Cairo, Egypt, to Manama, Bahrain, on a humid evening in August 2000. As the aircraft approached Bahrain's international airport, it suddenly lost contact with air traffic control. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the plane appeared to stall before plummeting into the Persian Gulf, just a few miles from the airport. The crash took the lives of all 143 individuals on board, including passengers and crew members, making it one of the most significant aviation disasters in the region.

Initial investigations indicated that the flight had been experiencing hydraulic problems prior to the crash. The plane's crew had reportedly reported these issues but continued their approach to land. The circumstances surrounding the crash raised numerous questions regarding maintenance procedures and safety protocols adopted by Gulf Air. Following the disaster, the airline faced scrutiny over its operational practices and how they ensured aircraft reliability.

In the aftermath, an international investigation was launched to dissect the events leading to the tragedy. The investigation examined both the technical aspects of the aircraft and the decision-making processes of the flight crew. Investigators focused on the adequacy of training and emergency preparedness, leading to recommendations for improvements in safety standards across the aviation industry in the Gulf region.