Originally Posted by
Lonely Flyer
It was a controlled rapid descent and did not plummet. The usage of the word implies a fall or rapid drop that was uncontrolled.
That is an inference and not based on the actual meaning of the word
plummet verb (plummeted, plummeting) intrans to fall or drop rapidly; to plunge or hurtle downwards
The aeroplane did drop rapidly
A falling climber is also plummeting
as is a falling stock market
There is nothing in the word meaning that says that the fall has to be uncontrolled