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These are the user uploaded subtitles that are being translated: 1 00:00:05,872 --> 00:00:07,474 FLIGHT ATTENDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, 2 00:00:07,474 --> 00:00:08,775 we are starting our approach. 3 00:00:08,775 --> 00:00:10,176 PILOT: We lost both engines. 4 00:00:10,176 --> 00:00:11,211 [radio chatter] 5 00:00:11,211 --> 00:00:12,011 MAN: Mayday. 6 00:00:12,011 --> 00:00:13,012 Mayday. 7 00:00:13,012 --> 00:00:15,014 FLIGHT ATTENDANT: Brace for impact! 8 00:00:15,014 --> 00:00:18,485 [chatter] 9 00:00:18,485 --> 00:00:19,986 MAN: He's gonna crash! 10 00:00:27,994 --> 00:00:31,464 [engine roaring] 11 00:00:32,465 --> 00:00:33,666 Buenas noches, señor. 12 00:00:33,666 --> 00:00:36,536 American 965 leaving 230-- 13 00:00:36,536 --> 00:00:39,906 NARRATOR: In 1995, days before Christmas, 14 00:00:39,906 --> 00:00:43,910 an American Airlines Boeing 757 is on its final approach 15 00:00:43,910 --> 00:00:47,147 to Cali, Colombia. 16 00:00:47,147 --> 00:00:51,418 Cali approach, American 965. 17 00:00:51,418 --> 00:00:53,720 NARRATOR: The pilots are calm and relaxed. 18 00:00:53,720 --> 00:00:56,756 They don't know they've made a terrible mistake. 19 00:00:56,756 --> 00:00:58,291 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): 965, altitude? 20 00:00:58,291 --> 00:01:01,394 965, 9,000 feet. 21 00:01:01,394 --> 00:01:04,264 NARRATOR: They're more than 10 miles off course 22 00:01:04,264 --> 00:01:07,200 and have no clue where they are. 23 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:08,902 [siren buzzing] 24 00:01:08,902 --> 00:01:09,736 AUTOMATED VOICE: Too low. 25 00:01:09,736 --> 00:01:10,537 Terrain. 26 00:01:10,537 --> 00:01:12,138 Pull up, baby. 27 00:01:12,138 --> 00:01:16,509 NARRATOR: In complete darkness, the jet carrying 163 passengers 28 00:01:16,509 --> 00:01:19,012 and crew is in mortal danger. 29 00:01:19,012 --> 00:01:20,113 OK, easy. 30 00:01:20,113 --> 00:01:22,782 I think we knew that something imminent was-- 31 00:01:22,782 --> 00:01:23,950 was around the corner. 32 00:01:23,950 --> 00:01:25,652 Up, baby. 33 00:01:25,652 --> 00:01:26,686 More! more! 34 00:01:26,686 --> 00:01:27,454 OK. 35 00:01:27,454 --> 00:01:28,455 Up, up, up! 36 00:01:31,925 --> 00:01:34,894 [alarm buzzing] 37 00:01:37,864 --> 00:01:42,535 NARRATOR: Flight 965 crashed into a 9,000 foot mountain, 38 00:01:42,535 --> 00:01:46,406 sending reverberations through the aviation industry. 39 00:01:46,406 --> 00:01:49,542 How could one of the world's most technologically advanced 40 00:01:49,542 --> 00:01:53,813 aircraft, with a state of the art navigation system 41 00:01:53,813 --> 00:01:56,850 and flown by some of the most skilled pilots, 42 00:01:56,850 --> 00:01:58,284 crash into a mountain? 43 00:02:01,754 --> 00:02:05,258 [somber music] 44 00:02:08,728 --> 00:02:12,432 On December 20, 1995, American Airlines 45 00:02:12,432 --> 00:02:15,635 flight 965 prepares to depart from Miami 46 00:02:15,635 --> 00:02:18,538 International Airport. 47 00:02:18,538 --> 00:02:22,208 Its destination is Cali, Colombia. 48 00:02:22,208 --> 00:02:26,446 Flight 965 is scheduled to depart Miami at 4:40 PM, 49 00:02:26,446 --> 00:02:28,715 but has already been delayed for 30 minutes 50 00:02:28,715 --> 00:02:32,018 to allow for connecting passengers. 51 00:02:32,018 --> 00:02:35,388 Surely, gonna call us any second now. 52 00:02:35,388 --> 00:02:39,192 NARRATOR: The Dussans only just make it. 53 00:02:39,192 --> 00:02:42,061 In Miami they tell us that we have to rush 54 00:02:42,061 --> 00:02:43,963 because the plane gonna-- 55 00:02:43,963 --> 00:02:46,966 gonna leave to Cali very soon. 56 00:02:46,966 --> 00:02:49,269 [chatter] 57 00:02:49,269 --> 00:02:52,305 Definitely we were very happy because we know 58 00:02:52,305 --> 00:02:53,806 we're gonna fly that night. 59 00:02:53,806 --> 00:02:54,974 So you made it. 60 00:02:54,974 --> 00:02:55,775 Just in time. 61 00:02:55,775 --> 00:02:57,377 [chuckles] 62 00:02:57,377 --> 00:02:59,612 NARRATOR: Mercedes Ramirez, along with her mother 63 00:02:59,612 --> 00:03:04,417 and father, managed to get on the flight at the last minute. 64 00:03:04,417 --> 00:03:06,586 We were on standby, so we weren't sure 65 00:03:06,586 --> 00:03:08,888 if our names were gonna be called off 66 00:03:08,888 --> 00:03:10,890 to actually get on that flight. 67 00:03:10,890 --> 00:03:13,593 We heard our names, and we were excited 'cause we're like, 68 00:03:13,593 --> 00:03:15,795 yes, we got on the flight. 69 00:03:15,795 --> 00:03:17,163 But it's very old American, you know. 70 00:03:20,066 --> 00:03:23,036 NARRATOR: Flight 965 finally leaves the gate 71 00:03:23,036 --> 00:03:26,639 at 5:14 PM, 34 minutes late. 72 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:29,342 But the problems aren't over yet. 73 00:03:29,342 --> 00:03:32,512 As they taxi toward the runway, the tower informs 74 00:03:32,512 --> 00:03:35,315 them of yet another delay. 75 00:03:35,315 --> 00:03:37,216 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): American 965, standby. 76 00:03:37,216 --> 00:03:40,086 NARRATOR: Heavy seasonal traffic clogs the runways, 77 00:03:40,086 --> 00:03:41,854 and they're forced to wait another hour 78 00:03:41,854 --> 00:03:43,156 and 20 minutes on the tarmac. 79 00:03:43,156 --> 00:03:44,157 We'll go when they're ready. 80 00:03:44,157 --> 00:03:47,393 That's all there is to it. 81 00:03:47,393 --> 00:03:48,428 Waiting and-- 82 00:03:51,798 --> 00:03:53,666 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): American 965. 83 00:03:53,666 --> 00:03:57,070 NARRATOR: Finally, two hours late, flight 965 84 00:03:57,070 --> 00:03:59,072 is cleared for takeoff. 85 00:03:59,072 --> 00:04:00,907 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): Fly the runway heading. 86 00:04:00,907 --> 00:04:01,975 Cleared for takeoff. 87 00:04:01,975 --> 00:04:03,276 Merry Christmas. 88 00:04:03,276 --> 00:04:07,981 Cleared for takeoff, 27 right, American 965. 89 00:04:07,981 --> 00:04:09,082 You do a great job. 90 00:04:09,082 --> 00:04:09,882 Good night. 91 00:04:13,453 --> 00:04:15,989 NARRATOR: Captain Nicholas Tafuri, aged 57, 92 00:04:15,989 --> 00:04:21,661 is in charge of flight 965. 93 00:04:21,661 --> 00:04:23,997 He's one of American Airlines' premiere pilots 94 00:04:23,997 --> 00:04:28,534 with more than 13,000 hours of flying time, over 2,000 of them 95 00:04:28,534 --> 00:04:33,139 in the 757. 96 00:04:33,139 --> 00:04:36,342 He'd flown to Cali only six days earlier. 97 00:04:36,342 --> 00:04:39,979 200, the heading, climbed to 16. 98 00:04:39,979 --> 00:04:46,185 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): That's 16, American 965. 99 00:04:46,185 --> 00:04:47,920 NARRATOR: At the controls as first officer 100 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:50,356 Donnie R. Williams, age 39. 101 00:04:50,356 --> 00:04:53,359 Although he's been flying for American for nine years, 102 00:04:53,359 --> 00:04:56,696 flight 965 is his first trip to Cali. 103 00:04:56,696 --> 00:05:00,099 [ominous music] 104 00:05:04,170 --> 00:05:05,905 MERCEDES RAMIREZ: Everybody on that plane was either 105 00:05:05,905 --> 00:05:08,541 going back home for the Christmas holidays 106 00:05:08,541 --> 00:05:09,942 to visit their family. 107 00:05:09,942 --> 00:05:13,413 So I think everybody was just happy and excited to go back. 108 00:05:13,413 --> 00:05:16,382 NARRATOR: Today, December 20, is a very special day 109 00:05:16,382 --> 00:05:19,552 for passenger Mercedes Ramirez. 110 00:05:19,552 --> 00:05:22,755 Mercedes is a university student from Missouri. 111 00:05:22,755 --> 00:05:25,091 It's her 21st birthday, and this trip 112 00:05:25,091 --> 00:05:27,193 is a gift from her parents. 113 00:05:27,193 --> 00:05:30,697 Usually we spent Christmas in Kansas City at home, 114 00:05:30,697 --> 00:05:33,232 but they wanted to do something special. 115 00:05:33,232 --> 00:05:35,134 And we had never spent the holidays 116 00:05:35,134 --> 00:05:39,238 with our family in Colombia, so it was a big deal for us. 117 00:05:39,238 --> 00:05:43,876 Since we flew standby, I couldn't said with both my mom 118 00:05:43,876 --> 00:05:45,411 and my dad all in one row. 119 00:05:45,411 --> 00:05:47,580 So my mother and I were seated next to each other. 120 00:05:47,580 --> 00:05:48,581 I was by the window. 121 00:05:48,581 --> 00:05:49,816 She was in the middle. 122 00:05:49,816 --> 00:05:52,118 And then there was a passenger who was about my age 123 00:05:52,118 --> 00:05:53,720 who was in the aisle seat. 124 00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:57,990 And then my father was in another row behind us. 125 00:05:57,990 --> 00:06:00,326 And so nothing out of the ordinary 126 00:06:00,326 --> 00:06:01,728 at all, just a normal flight. 127 00:06:04,897 --> 00:06:06,699 NARRATOR: 19-year-old Mauricio Reyes 128 00:06:06,699 --> 00:06:09,769 sits beside Mercedes' mother. 129 00:06:09,769 --> 00:06:12,038 Reyes is a student at the University of Michigan. 130 00:06:15,041 --> 00:06:17,276 You know, once we get there, we have to go see Victor. 131 00:06:17,276 --> 00:06:19,345 NARRATOR: Gonzalo Dussan and his wife Nancy, 132 00:06:19,345 --> 00:06:20,213 and their two children-- 133 00:06:20,213 --> 00:06:21,981 Michelle and Gonzalo Junior-- 134 00:06:21,981 --> 00:06:23,382 are seated nearby. 135 00:06:23,382 --> 00:06:26,719 [ominous music] 136 00:06:29,622 --> 00:06:32,158 GONZALO DUSSAN: We were very excited because the first time, 137 00:06:32,158 --> 00:06:34,460 you know, we're going with my family to pass, you know, 138 00:06:34,460 --> 00:06:37,096 Christmas over there in Cali. 139 00:06:37,096 --> 00:06:40,433 We wanted to see our families members 140 00:06:40,433 --> 00:06:44,837 and our brothers, sister, you know, to see our city again. 141 00:06:44,837 --> 00:06:48,307 [ominous music] 142 00:06:53,246 --> 00:06:56,282 NARRATOR: Two hours and 45 minutes into the flight, 143 00:06:56,282 --> 00:07:00,486 the plane is cruising at 37,000 feet on a preprogrammed flight 144 00:07:00,486 --> 00:07:01,921 path to Cali's airport. 145 00:07:01,921 --> 00:07:02,722 Let's see. 146 00:07:02,722 --> 00:07:04,657 We've got 136 miles. 147 00:07:09,262 --> 00:07:11,664 NARRATOR: They're flying a Boeing 757-- 148 00:07:11,664 --> 00:07:13,499 a state of the art airplane equipped with 149 00:07:13,499 --> 00:07:15,134 sophisticated computer systems. 150 00:07:20,573 --> 00:07:23,843 When programmed, the onboard computer-- known as the flight 151 00:07:23,843 --> 00:07:24,977 management system-- 152 00:07:24,977 --> 00:07:27,613 can control the aircraft from takeoff to landing. 153 00:07:30,249 --> 00:07:32,485 It can be the pilot's best friend 154 00:07:32,485 --> 00:07:49,035 or, in the case of flight 965, their worst nightmare. 155 00:07:49,035 --> 00:07:52,338 An awkward moment an hour before they're scheduled arrival 156 00:07:52,338 --> 00:07:54,874 makes Mercedes Ramirez change seats. 157 00:07:54,874 --> 00:07:57,476 MERCEDES RAMIREZ: My mother had been talking to the college 158 00:07:57,476 --> 00:08:00,379 student who was next to her, and I think she was trying to kind 159 00:08:00,379 --> 00:08:02,748 of set me up with him. 'Cause she kept on saying, 160 00:08:02,748 --> 00:08:04,917 oh, my daughter's in college, and my daughter is this, 161 00:08:04,917 --> 00:08:05,785 and my daughter is that. 162 00:08:05,785 --> 00:08:06,986 So I was very embarrassed. 163 00:08:06,986 --> 00:08:08,254 I'm going to join Dad. 164 00:08:08,254 --> 00:08:09,856 MERCEDES RAMIREZ (VOICEOVER): So I got up from my seat 165 00:08:09,856 --> 00:08:13,259 and moved to the row behind us. 166 00:08:13,259 --> 00:08:16,028 And I sat with my father. 167 00:08:16,028 --> 00:08:17,763 NARRATOR: The seemingly trivial decision 168 00:08:17,763 --> 00:08:20,233 will prove to be her lifesaver. 169 00:08:20,233 --> 00:08:23,669 [ominous music] 170 00:08:29,041 --> 00:08:31,377 It's a clear, moonless night with visibility 171 00:08:31,377 --> 00:08:33,779 more than 6 miles. 172 00:08:33,779 --> 00:08:35,248 And that's just how it works. 173 00:08:35,248 --> 00:08:36,249 That's our scenario. 174 00:08:36,249 --> 00:08:37,483 NARRATOR: But Captain Tafuri is now 175 00:08:37,483 --> 00:08:39,752 getting concerned about their arrival time. 176 00:08:39,752 --> 00:08:43,222 Debrief, one hour sign in, and you can't move that up at all 177 00:08:43,222 --> 00:08:45,124 because it's an FAA thing. 178 00:08:45,124 --> 00:08:47,393 NARRATOR: FAA regulations require 179 00:08:47,393 --> 00:08:49,262 a minimum number of hours on the ground 180 00:08:49,262 --> 00:08:52,798 before the cabin crew can fly again. 181 00:08:52,798 --> 00:08:55,568 Any further delays will jeopardize their return flight 182 00:08:55,568 --> 00:08:56,369 the next day. 183 00:09:01,807 --> 00:09:04,043 [sighs] Well, let's see. 184 00:09:04,043 --> 00:09:08,881 We got the 136 miles to the VOR and 32,000 feet 185 00:09:08,881 --> 00:09:10,216 to lose and slow down to boot. 186 00:09:10,216 --> 00:09:12,151 So we might as well get started. 187 00:09:12,151 --> 00:09:15,087 NARRATOR: If they land within the next 25 minutes, 188 00:09:15,087 --> 00:09:16,589 they'll beat the deadline. 189 00:09:16,589 --> 00:09:17,924 All right, sir. 190 00:09:17,924 --> 00:09:21,227 And if you'd keep the speed up on the descent, 191 00:09:21,227 --> 00:09:22,094 it'd help us too. 192 00:09:22,094 --> 00:09:22,929 OK? 193 00:09:22,929 --> 00:09:24,964 OK. 194 00:09:24,964 --> 00:09:27,300 OK, Gonzalito, let your sister sit beside the window. 195 00:09:27,300 --> 00:09:29,068 NARRATOR: Gonzalo Dussan's children 196 00:09:29,068 --> 00:09:31,671 quarrel over the window seat, not knowing that 197 00:09:31,671 --> 00:09:34,073 the consequences will be dire. 198 00:09:34,073 --> 00:09:36,575 And I remember I told him before Cali, 199 00:09:36,575 --> 00:09:39,979 when the-- when the plane started to lose altitude, 200 00:09:39,979 --> 00:09:43,416 so we're gonna see the valley, the city, very nice 201 00:09:43,416 --> 00:09:44,750 with a lot of lights on it. 202 00:09:44,750 --> 00:09:47,853 Because usually by December, by Christmas time, 203 00:09:47,853 --> 00:09:50,323 they decorate, you know, the mountains 204 00:09:50,323 --> 00:09:52,591 with different colors, lights, and everything. 205 00:09:52,591 --> 00:09:55,628 Then they start to fight for the window side. 206 00:09:55,628 --> 00:09:58,764 OK, Gonzalito, let your sister have a chance by the window. 207 00:09:58,764 --> 00:10:00,499 And I'm like, oh, I want to see. 208 00:10:00,499 --> 00:10:01,534 I want to see the lights. 209 00:10:01,534 --> 00:10:02,835 I want to see the airport. 210 00:10:02,835 --> 00:10:04,837 And he got mad. 211 00:10:04,837 --> 00:10:06,105 ACTOR AS GONZALO DUSSAN: OK, Michelle, 212 00:10:06,105 --> 00:10:07,807 you go sit by the window. 213 00:10:07,807 --> 00:10:10,509 Ooh, sit with your cousin. 214 00:10:10,509 --> 00:10:12,411 Good boy, Gonzalito. 215 00:10:12,411 --> 00:10:14,413 OK, Michelle, take a look at the lights. 216 00:10:14,413 --> 00:10:15,214 That's it. 217 00:10:15,214 --> 00:10:16,015 Come sit here. 218 00:10:16,015 --> 00:10:18,651 Come sit beside me. 219 00:10:18,651 --> 00:10:21,220 We are almost there. 220 00:10:21,220 --> 00:10:24,123 Michelle, can you see the lights outside the window? 221 00:10:24,123 --> 00:10:25,691 ACTOR AS NICHOLAS TAFURI: Ladies and gentlemen, 222 00:10:25,691 --> 00:10:28,294 this is your captain speaking. 223 00:10:28,294 --> 00:10:31,964 We have begun our descent for landing at Cali. 224 00:10:31,964 --> 00:10:33,632 It's a lovely evening. 225 00:10:33,632 --> 00:10:38,237 As we'd expected, we'll pass a shower or two on the way in. 226 00:10:38,237 --> 00:10:41,841 NARRATOR: This lovely evening is about to end. 227 00:10:41,841 --> 00:10:45,277 In 30 seconds, the pilots will make the first of a series 228 00:10:45,277 --> 00:10:48,080 of mistakes, which will result in the death 229 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:49,682 of nearly everyone on board. 230 00:10:53,153 --> 00:10:56,422 [ominous music] 231 00:11:01,995 --> 00:11:05,732 American Airlines flight 965 is on its final descent, 232 00:11:05,732 --> 00:11:08,935 roughly 63 miles from Cali, Columbia. 233 00:11:08,935 --> 00:11:12,338 [ominous music] 234 00:11:14,774 --> 00:11:16,910 Cali's Aragón airport is situated 235 00:11:16,910 --> 00:11:18,144 at the end of a long valley. 236 00:11:22,315 --> 00:11:25,685 On both sides of the valley are towering mountain ranges, 237 00:11:25,685 --> 00:11:28,588 almost 14,000 feet high. 238 00:11:28,588 --> 00:11:29,822 It's a formidable sight. 239 00:11:33,493 --> 00:11:36,963 To follow its proper pre-programmed flight path, 240 00:11:36,963 --> 00:11:40,967 the aircraft must pass over a series of waypoints. 241 00:11:40,967 --> 00:11:43,469 These are generally radio beacons at fixed 242 00:11:43,469 --> 00:11:46,306 positions along the route. 243 00:11:46,306 --> 00:11:49,375 The plane's computer picks up the signals from these beacons 244 00:11:49,375 --> 00:11:52,545 and then guides the plane safely to its destination. 245 00:11:55,348 --> 00:12:00,386 Flight 965 is now approaching the waypoint called Tulua-- 246 00:12:00,386 --> 00:12:02,355 the radio beacon at the head of the valley, 247 00:12:02,355 --> 00:12:05,058 which leads to Cali. 248 00:12:05,058 --> 00:12:07,093 After passing to Tulua, the plane 249 00:12:07,093 --> 00:12:11,664 should fly over the final waypoint called Rozo. 250 00:12:11,664 --> 00:12:14,500 Then it passes the airport, turns right, 251 00:12:14,500 --> 00:12:15,768 and lands from the south. 252 00:12:19,205 --> 00:12:20,406 ACTOR AS NICHOLAS TAFURI (ON RADIO): 253 00:12:20,406 --> 00:12:23,977 Cali approach, American 965. 254 00:12:23,977 --> 00:12:25,712 American 965, good evening. 255 00:12:25,712 --> 00:12:27,013 Go ahead. 256 00:12:27,013 --> 00:12:28,248 Buenos noches, señor. 257 00:12:28,248 --> 00:12:29,682 American 965-- 258 00:12:29,682 --> 00:12:32,085 NARRATOR: Cali Air traffic controller Nelson Rivera 259 00:12:32,085 --> 00:12:35,588 will oversee the final approach of flight 965, 260 00:12:35,588 --> 00:12:38,224 but he has a problem. 261 00:12:38,224 --> 00:12:41,027 Insurgents opposed to the Colombian government 262 00:12:41,027 --> 00:12:44,864 have blown up the radar installation. 263 00:12:44,864 --> 00:12:48,201 Rivera has no way of knowing where planes are until they 264 00:12:48,201 --> 00:12:51,371 radio their position. 265 00:12:51,371 --> 00:12:53,806 Your distance DME from Cali? 266 00:12:53,806 --> 00:12:56,175 NARRATOR: Without radar, the air traffic controller 267 00:12:56,175 --> 00:12:58,144 must rely on the pilots to provide 268 00:12:58,144 --> 00:13:00,847 their distance to the runway. 269 00:13:00,847 --> 00:13:03,583 The DME is 63. 270 00:13:03,583 --> 00:13:06,486 NARRATOR: The DME is the distance measuring equipment 271 00:13:06,486 --> 00:13:07,654 in the Boeing cockpit. 272 00:13:07,654 --> 00:13:08,921 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): Roger. 273 00:13:08,921 --> 00:13:11,524 American 965 is cleared to Cali. 274 00:13:11,524 --> 00:13:14,827 Descend and maintain one 5,000 feet. 275 00:13:14,827 --> 00:13:17,864 Altimeter 3002. 276 00:13:17,864 --> 00:13:19,699 Report on Tulua. 277 00:13:19,699 --> 00:13:20,733 OK, understood. 278 00:13:20,733 --> 00:13:22,402 Clear, direct to Cali. 279 00:13:22,402 --> 00:13:24,437 VOR, report Tulua. 280 00:13:24,437 --> 00:13:25,905 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): Affirmative. 281 00:13:25,905 --> 00:13:27,640 NARRATOR: It's a misunderstanding. 282 00:13:27,640 --> 00:13:31,444 Captain Tafuri thinks he's been told to fly direct to Cali 283 00:13:31,444 --> 00:13:33,112 and forget about Tulua. 284 00:13:33,112 --> 00:13:36,115 But the controller needs him to report passing Tulua 285 00:13:36,115 --> 00:13:38,918 so he knows where the airplane is. 286 00:13:38,918 --> 00:13:40,253 NELSON RIVERA: [speaking spanish] 287 00:13:41,354 --> 00:13:42,955 INTERPRETER: To me, the word directly means 288 00:13:42,955 --> 00:13:45,858 that he was authorized to go directly to Cali, 289 00:13:45,858 --> 00:13:48,494 that there was no delay. 290 00:13:48,494 --> 00:13:52,165 Therefore, he had to inform us of his position in Tulua 291 00:13:52,165 --> 00:13:54,100 because we don't have radar. 292 00:13:54,100 --> 00:13:57,103 I needed him to inform me of that exact location. 293 00:14:00,006 --> 00:14:03,943 NARRATOR: Tafuri punches direct to Cali into his computer. 294 00:14:03,943 --> 00:14:06,446 Since the plane No longer has to pass over them, 295 00:14:06,446 --> 00:14:09,816 all the waypoints between its present position and Cali 296 00:14:09,816 --> 00:14:12,852 are erased, including Tulua, which 297 00:14:12,852 --> 00:14:15,054 the plane is now approaching. 298 00:14:15,054 --> 00:14:16,823 I put direct Cali for you in there. 299 00:14:16,823 --> 00:14:17,623 OK. 300 00:14:17,623 --> 00:14:18,424 Thank you. 301 00:14:22,628 --> 00:14:25,698 Flight attendants, please prepare for landing. 302 00:14:25,698 --> 00:14:26,499 Thank you. 303 00:14:33,373 --> 00:14:36,743 GONZALO DUSSAN: And I remember they gave us the order to-- 304 00:14:36,743 --> 00:14:39,712 to put the back of the seat straight. 305 00:14:39,712 --> 00:14:42,382 I remember that. 306 00:14:42,382 --> 00:14:45,184 And everybody was, you know, so happy because we 307 00:14:45,184 --> 00:14:46,753 were very close to the city. 308 00:14:52,492 --> 00:14:55,495 [ominous music] 309 00:14:57,830 --> 00:14:59,031 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): 965. 310 00:14:59,031 --> 00:15:00,867 NARRATOR: 11 minutes before their estimated time 311 00:15:00,867 --> 00:15:01,667 of arrival-- 312 00:15:01,667 --> 00:15:02,468 965. 313 00:15:02,468 --> 00:15:04,170 Go ahead, please. 314 00:15:04,170 --> 00:15:05,505 Sir, the wind is calm. 315 00:15:05,505 --> 00:15:07,206 NARRATOR: --air traffic control asks 316 00:15:07,206 --> 00:15:10,009 the flight crew if they'd like to land on runway 19-- 317 00:15:10,009 --> 00:15:12,044 You want to shoot the 19 straight in? 318 00:15:12,044 --> 00:15:14,614 NARRATOR: --instead of their planned approach to runway 01. 319 00:15:14,614 --> 00:15:15,615 Yeah. 320 00:15:15,615 --> 00:15:16,182 We won't have to scramble to get down. 321 00:15:16,182 --> 00:15:17,917 We can do it. 322 00:15:17,917 --> 00:15:20,686 Yes, sir, we'll need a lower altitude right away, though. 323 00:15:20,686 --> 00:15:21,621 Roger. 324 00:15:21,621 --> 00:15:24,757 American 965 is clear to VOR DME. 325 00:15:24,757 --> 00:15:25,725 OK. 326 00:15:25,725 --> 00:15:27,927 NARRATOR: The pilots are pleased. 327 00:15:27,927 --> 00:15:31,564 Runway 19 is a straight in approach from the north. 328 00:15:31,564 --> 00:15:36,736 They won't have to lose precious time by circling the airport. 329 00:15:36,736 --> 00:15:38,337 But there isn't much time. 330 00:15:38,337 --> 00:15:40,306 They need to get the plane down quickly. 331 00:15:44,310 --> 00:15:47,146 Williams deploys the speed brakes. 332 00:15:47,146 --> 00:15:50,183 The brakes are flaps on the top of the wings. 333 00:15:50,183 --> 00:15:52,885 When raised they reduce lift and increase 334 00:15:52,885 --> 00:15:55,121 the plane's rate of descent. 335 00:15:55,121 --> 00:15:57,490 Approach runway 19. 336 00:15:57,490 --> 00:15:58,958 Rozo, number one arrival. 337 00:15:58,958 --> 00:16:00,760 NARRATOR: This split second decision 338 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:04,297 to land on runway 19 sets off a chain of events 339 00:16:04,297 --> 00:16:05,865 that will end in disaster. 340 00:16:05,865 --> 00:16:07,967 We'll report VOR. 341 00:16:07,967 --> 00:16:08,835 Thank you, sir. 342 00:16:08,835 --> 00:16:11,437 Report Tulua, VOR. 343 00:16:11,437 --> 00:16:13,139 Report Tulua. 344 00:16:13,139 --> 00:16:14,974 I've got to give you a Tulua first of all. 345 00:16:14,974 --> 00:16:17,810 You want to go right to Cali or to Tulua? 346 00:16:17,810 --> 00:16:19,312 I thought he said the Rozo one arrival. 347 00:16:19,312 --> 00:16:20,446 Yeah, he did. 348 00:16:20,446 --> 00:16:21,714 We got time to pull that out? 349 00:16:21,714 --> 00:16:23,182 NARRATOR: Events begin to unravel 350 00:16:23,182 --> 00:16:24,984 very quickly in the cockpit. 351 00:16:24,984 --> 00:16:27,920 The pilots have to locate the new charts for the approach 352 00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:30,857 to 19, enter the new route into the computer, 353 00:16:30,857 --> 00:16:32,391 and still fly the plane. 354 00:16:32,391 --> 00:16:34,527 And Tulua one Rozo-- 355 00:16:34,527 --> 00:16:35,328 yeah, there it is. 356 00:16:35,328 --> 00:16:36,829 See, that comes off Tulua. 357 00:16:36,829 --> 00:16:38,865 NARRATOR: They are getting totally confused. 358 00:16:38,865 --> 00:16:41,300 The controller keeps asking them to report 359 00:16:41,300 --> 00:16:42,869 when they've passed Tulua. 360 00:16:42,869 --> 00:16:45,037 But having erased it from their computer, 361 00:16:45,037 --> 00:16:46,539 they've no idea where it is. 362 00:16:46,539 --> 00:16:47,340 It's on your map. 363 00:16:47,340 --> 00:16:48,407 Should be. 364 00:16:48,407 --> 00:16:50,176 NARRATOR: Captain Tafuri asks the tower 365 00:16:50,176 --> 00:16:52,478 if they can forget Tulua and fly directly 366 00:16:52,478 --> 00:16:55,448 to Rozo, their last waypoint before the runway. 367 00:16:55,448 --> 00:16:58,951 Can American Airlines 965 go direct to Rozo 368 00:16:58,951 --> 00:17:01,521 and then do the Rozo arrival, sir? 369 00:17:01,521 --> 00:17:03,155 Affirmative. 370 00:17:03,155 --> 00:17:06,325 Take the Rozo one and runway 19. 371 00:17:06,325 --> 00:17:08,127 And the wind is calm. 372 00:17:08,127 --> 00:17:09,428 All right, Rozo. 373 00:17:09,428 --> 00:17:11,097 The Rozo one to 19. 374 00:17:11,097 --> 00:17:13,366 Thank you, American 965. 375 00:17:13,366 --> 00:17:17,937 Report Tulua at 21 miles and 5,000 feet. 376 00:17:17,937 --> 00:17:18,738 OK. 377 00:17:18,738 --> 00:17:20,106 Report Tulua-- 378 00:17:20,106 --> 00:17:22,975 NARRATOR: The controller is still asking them to report 379 00:17:22,975 --> 00:17:24,677 passing the Tulua beacon. 380 00:17:24,677 --> 00:17:27,380 Without radar, he doesn't realize they've already 381 00:17:27,380 --> 00:17:30,449 passed it and are speeding down the valley toward the airport. 382 00:17:33,185 --> 00:17:36,122 Captain Tafuri now makes another fateful decision. 383 00:17:36,122 --> 00:17:37,990 What the-- what happened here? 384 00:17:37,990 --> 00:17:40,593 NARRATOR: Having decided to head for the Rozo waypoint, 385 00:17:40,593 --> 00:17:43,095 he punches R into his computer. 386 00:17:43,095 --> 00:17:44,397 [bell dings] 387 00:17:45,765 --> 00:17:48,234 The computer database responds with a list of more than 10 388 00:17:48,234 --> 00:17:50,836 waypoints to choose from. 389 00:17:50,836 --> 00:17:54,240 Normally the nearest one, Rozo, would be at the top. 390 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:57,410 But tonight It's not. 391 00:17:57,410 --> 00:18:02,882 Captain Tafuri doesn't notice, and pushes Execute. 392 00:18:05,818 --> 00:18:08,287 [beeping] 393 00:18:12,191 --> 00:18:15,494 At over 300 miles per hour, and descending at a rate 394 00:18:15,494 --> 00:18:18,464 of approximately 1,300 feet per minute, 395 00:18:18,464 --> 00:18:22,935 flight 965 begins to veer off on a new and deadly course. 396 00:18:22,935 --> 00:18:26,405 [ominous music] 397 00:18:27,406 --> 00:18:29,475 [speaking spanish] 398 00:18:30,810 --> 00:18:32,645 INTERPRETER: I never imagined that they were deflecting 399 00:18:32,645 --> 00:18:39,552 the route in addition to losing altitude, 400 00:18:39,552 --> 00:18:43,055 because I didn't have radar. 401 00:18:43,055 --> 00:18:45,591 NARRATOR: In the cockpit of flight 965, 402 00:18:45,591 --> 00:18:48,828 the pilots are completely unaware of what they've done. 403 00:18:48,828 --> 00:18:51,364 They're busy studying charts as their plane 404 00:18:51,364 --> 00:18:54,200 crosses the mountains into unknown territory. 405 00:18:56,469 --> 00:18:59,805 [ominous music] 406 00:19:02,341 --> 00:19:06,312 For more than a minute, American Airlines flight 965 has been 407 00:19:06,312 --> 00:19:09,248 turning into the mountains. 408 00:19:09,248 --> 00:19:11,484 Captain Tafuri and First Officer Williams 409 00:19:11,484 --> 00:19:13,352 suddenly notice that their aircraft 410 00:19:13,352 --> 00:19:16,489 is taking them somewhere they don't want to go. 411 00:19:16,489 --> 00:19:17,523 We're going out to-- 412 00:19:17,523 --> 00:19:19,525 Let's go right to Tulua first of all. 413 00:19:19,525 --> 00:19:20,660 OK? 414 00:19:20,660 --> 00:19:21,460 Yeah. 415 00:19:21,460 --> 00:19:22,628 Where are we headed? 416 00:19:22,628 --> 00:19:24,297 17, 7-- 417 00:19:24,297 --> 00:19:26,232 NARRATOR: Captain Tafuri is floundering 418 00:19:26,232 --> 00:19:27,566 in the pitch darkness. 419 00:19:27,566 --> 00:19:28,701 What happened here? 420 00:19:28,701 --> 00:19:30,903 NARRATOR: If he can find the Tulua waypoint, 421 00:19:30,903 --> 00:19:33,272 he can get his bearings. 422 00:19:33,272 --> 00:19:35,574 He switches to another computer system 423 00:19:35,574 --> 00:19:38,778 and enters the radio frequency for the Tulua beacon. 424 00:19:38,778 --> 00:19:39,578 OK. 425 00:19:39,578 --> 00:19:40,613 I'm getting it. 426 00:19:40,613 --> 00:19:42,615 17, 7 just doesn't seem right on mine. 427 00:19:42,615 --> 00:19:44,050 I don't know why. 428 00:19:44,050 --> 00:19:45,184 Left turn. 429 00:19:45,184 --> 00:19:47,353 So you want a left turn back around to ULQ. 430 00:19:47,353 --> 00:19:48,154 Nah. 431 00:19:48,154 --> 00:19:48,955 Hell, no. 432 00:19:48,955 --> 00:19:50,456 Let's press on to-- 433 00:19:50,456 --> 00:19:52,558 Where we're-- press on to where, though? 434 00:19:52,558 --> 00:19:53,826 Tulua. 435 00:19:53,826 --> 00:19:55,795 NARRATOR: Hopelessly lost and less than two minutes 436 00:19:55,795 --> 00:19:58,331 from impact, Tafuri decides to press 437 00:19:58,331 --> 00:20:00,066 on with his doomed approach. 438 00:20:00,066 --> 00:20:02,935 Let's go to Cali first of all, OK? 439 00:20:02,935 --> 00:20:04,103 Come to the right, right now. 440 00:20:04,103 --> 00:20:06,605 Come to the right, right now. 441 00:20:06,605 --> 00:20:08,107 NARRATOR: The pilots don't know it. 442 00:20:08,107 --> 00:20:10,242 But when the plane veered off course, 443 00:20:10,242 --> 00:20:13,145 it crossed over the mountains. 444 00:20:13,145 --> 00:20:15,781 They're now in another valley, parallel 445 00:20:15,781 --> 00:20:17,416 to where they should be. 446 00:20:17,416 --> 00:20:20,686 [suspenseful music] 447 00:20:22,088 --> 00:20:25,658 The passengers are completely unaware that in less than 60 448 00:20:25,658 --> 00:20:30,129 seconds the aircraft, traveling at more than 210 miles an hour, 449 00:20:30,129 --> 00:20:31,364 is going to crash. 450 00:20:31,364 --> 00:20:32,765 We're almost there, though. 451 00:20:32,765 --> 00:20:34,767 Tulua, I'm not getting for some reason. 452 00:20:34,767 --> 00:20:35,801 See, I can't-- OK. 453 00:20:35,801 --> 00:20:36,635 Now-- no. 454 00:20:36,635 --> 00:20:37,803 We don't want Tulua. 455 00:20:37,803 --> 00:20:40,673 Let's just go to the extended center line of-- 456 00:20:40,673 --> 00:20:41,540 Which is Rozo. 457 00:20:41,540 --> 00:20:42,675 --Rozo. 458 00:20:42,675 --> 00:20:44,443 Well, why don't you just go direct to Roao then. 459 00:20:44,443 --> 00:20:45,611 All right? - OK. 460 00:20:45,611 --> 00:20:46,545 Let's-- 461 00:20:46,545 --> 00:20:48,547 I'm gonna put that over to you. 462 00:20:48,547 --> 00:20:50,383 NARRATOR: They decide to give up on Tulua 463 00:20:50,383 --> 00:20:52,184 and make straight for the airport. 464 00:20:52,184 --> 00:20:55,354 They don't realize that there is now a wall of mountains 465 00:20:55,354 --> 00:20:57,123 between them and Cali. 466 00:20:57,123 --> 00:20:59,759 [suspenseful music] 467 00:21:00,626 --> 00:21:02,962 965, altitude? 468 00:21:02,962 --> 00:21:05,531 965, 9,000 feet. 469 00:21:05,531 --> 00:21:07,199 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): Roger. 470 00:21:07,199 --> 00:21:10,302 Distance now? 471 00:21:10,302 --> 00:21:11,704 [alarm buzzing] 472 00:21:11,704 --> 00:21:13,773 NARRATOR: The plane's ground proximity 473 00:21:13,773 --> 00:21:17,209 warning system is telling them they're about to crash. 474 00:21:17,209 --> 00:21:19,111 965, this is Cali approach. 475 00:21:19,111 --> 00:21:22,381 Can you hear me? 476 00:21:22,381 --> 00:21:23,449 [speaking spanish] 477 00:21:23,449 --> 00:21:24,450 INTERPRETER: He didn't answer. 478 00:21:27,286 --> 00:21:29,155 He never answered again. 479 00:21:29,155 --> 00:21:30,222 [alarm buzzing] 480 00:21:30,222 --> 00:21:31,023 Easy does it. 481 00:21:31,023 --> 00:21:31,891 Easy does it. 482 00:21:31,891 --> 00:21:32,691 Nope. 483 00:21:36,862 --> 00:21:42,802 I could feel that we were just violently just going up. 484 00:21:42,802 --> 00:21:45,471 And I felt like I was on a roller 485 00:21:45,471 --> 00:21:46,338 coaster ride or something. 486 00:21:46,338 --> 00:21:47,440 [screaming] 487 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:49,742 And the turbulence was absolutely horrible. 488 00:21:49,742 --> 00:21:51,777 And by that time, people were screaming. 489 00:21:51,777 --> 00:21:56,916 And everybody knew on the flight that something was very wrong. 490 00:21:56,916 --> 00:21:58,384 AUTOMATED VOICE: Too low. 491 00:21:58,384 --> 00:21:59,351 Terrain. 492 00:21:59,351 --> 00:22:00,820 Easy does it. 493 00:22:00,820 --> 00:22:01,987 Easy does it. 494 00:22:01,987 --> 00:22:02,855 Nope. 495 00:22:02,855 --> 00:22:04,056 Up, baby. 496 00:22:04,056 --> 00:22:05,591 MERCEDES RAMIREZ: Instinctively, I reached over 497 00:22:05,591 --> 00:22:07,693 and I grabbed my father's hand. 498 00:22:07,693 --> 00:22:10,663 And I pull my head in my lap. 499 00:22:10,663 --> 00:22:13,399 [screaming] 500 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:16,469 In my mind I just kept on thinking, come 501 00:22:16,469 --> 00:22:17,670 on, just straighten it out. 502 00:22:17,670 --> 00:22:18,471 Straighten it out. 503 00:22:18,471 --> 00:22:20,139 Up, baby. 504 00:22:20,139 --> 00:22:20,940 More! 505 00:22:20,940 --> 00:22:21,874 More! 506 00:22:21,874 --> 00:22:22,908 Up! Up! 507 00:22:22,908 --> 00:22:24,076 Up! 508 00:22:24,076 --> 00:22:26,112 NARRATOR: These were the last words 509 00:22:26,112 --> 00:22:27,480 on the cockpit voice recorder. 510 00:22:32,284 --> 00:22:34,920 [crash] 511 00:22:35,721 --> 00:22:39,191 [somber music] 512 00:22:52,771 --> 00:22:54,273 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): American 965, 513 00:22:54,273 --> 00:22:56,342 this is Cali approach. 514 00:22:56,342 --> 00:22:59,445 American 965, this is Cali approach. 515 00:22:59,445 --> 00:23:00,412 Can you hear me? 516 00:23:00,412 --> 00:23:03,616 [ominous music] 517 00:23:05,451 --> 00:23:07,019 NELSON RIVERA: [speaking spanish] 518 00:23:08,354 --> 00:23:11,223 INTERPRETER: I never experienced anything like this before. 519 00:23:11,223 --> 00:23:14,393 This was the first time that I lost a plane and the crew 520 00:23:14,393 --> 00:23:18,063 was not responding. 521 00:23:18,063 --> 00:23:20,332 It is very difficult to grasp the moment. 522 00:23:23,035 --> 00:23:25,704 When the plane didn't answer, I looked 523 00:23:25,704 --> 00:23:28,407 outside from the control tower. 524 00:23:28,407 --> 00:23:32,044 I could see from there the sky. 525 00:23:32,044 --> 00:23:34,113 I started to look for the plane. 526 00:23:34,113 --> 00:23:35,814 The night was clear, and I thought 527 00:23:35,814 --> 00:23:38,217 I could see the plane coming. 528 00:23:38,217 --> 00:23:42,154 But in this case, I never saw the plane. 529 00:23:42,154 --> 00:23:43,455 [chatter] 530 00:23:43,455 --> 00:23:46,492 NARRATOR: As the arrival time comes and goes, 531 00:23:46,492 --> 00:23:49,528 rumors begin to circulate that air traffic control has 532 00:23:49,528 --> 00:23:54,466 lost contact with flight 965. 533 00:23:54,466 --> 00:23:56,001 [chatter] 534 00:23:58,070 --> 00:24:00,706 In an instant, joy turns to shock 535 00:24:00,706 --> 00:24:02,775 as cries that the plane is crashed 536 00:24:02,775 --> 00:24:05,811 spread throughout the terminal. 537 00:24:05,811 --> 00:24:08,814 [phone ringing] 538 00:24:13,786 --> 00:24:16,922 Locals living near the town of Buga, north of Cali, 539 00:24:16,922 --> 00:24:19,058 report hearing a massive explosion. 540 00:24:22,027 --> 00:24:24,697 [sirens wailing] 541 00:24:25,698 --> 00:24:27,633 Rescue teams raced to the town, which 542 00:24:27,633 --> 00:24:30,469 lies near the base of a local mountain range with peaks 543 00:24:30,469 --> 00:24:32,638 as high as 10,000 feet. 544 00:24:32,638 --> 00:24:35,975 [suspenseful music] 545 00:24:39,745 --> 00:24:43,649 At 3:00 AM, almost six hours after the plane disappeared, 546 00:24:43,649 --> 00:24:45,951 a search and rescue team treks up the side 547 00:24:45,951 --> 00:24:47,453 of El Diluvio Mountain. 548 00:24:47,453 --> 00:24:49,855 [radio chatter] 549 00:24:50,823 --> 00:24:54,226 [ominous music] 550 00:25:00,532 --> 00:25:03,836 In the midst of tons of twisted and torn metal 551 00:25:03,836 --> 00:25:08,274 lies 21-year-old Mercedes Ramirez. 552 00:25:08,274 --> 00:25:11,910 Her last memory prior to impact is grabbing her father's 553 00:25:11,910 --> 00:25:14,480 hand, and the deafening sound of the tail 554 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:15,881 section striking trees. 555 00:25:20,252 --> 00:25:23,088 MERCEDES RAMIREZ: The next memory I have is the next day. 556 00:25:23,088 --> 00:25:24,023 It's daylight. 557 00:25:24,023 --> 00:25:25,324 I wake up and it's-- 558 00:25:25,324 --> 00:25:28,661 I see the sunlight around me. 559 00:25:28,661 --> 00:25:30,663 And I don't know where I am. 560 00:25:30,663 --> 00:25:34,533 And what's around me looks like a-- like a landfill, 561 00:25:34,533 --> 00:25:35,901 like a trash dump. 562 00:25:35,901 --> 00:25:40,306 And so, as I'm laying there, I'm thinking where in the world 563 00:25:40,306 --> 00:25:41,707 am I. 564 00:25:41,707 --> 00:25:43,976 NARRATOR: Mercedes is critically injured, 565 00:25:43,976 --> 00:25:47,546 with severe internal injuries and a shattered leg. 566 00:25:47,546 --> 00:25:48,347 Help! 567 00:25:50,983 --> 00:25:52,384 Is anybody out there? 568 00:25:57,556 --> 00:25:58,824 Help me! 569 00:25:58,824 --> 00:26:01,560 NARRATOR: 19-year-old college student Mauricio Reyes 570 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:03,195 also survives the impact-- 571 00:26:03,195 --> 00:26:04,396 Can you hear me? 572 00:26:04,396 --> 00:26:06,398 NARRATOR: --and responds to Mercedes' cry for help. 573 00:26:06,398 --> 00:26:07,966 Can you move? 574 00:26:07,966 --> 00:26:10,336 ACTOR AS MERCEDES RAMIREZ: Um, I can try. 575 00:26:10,336 --> 00:26:11,804 I'm not sure. 576 00:26:11,804 --> 00:26:13,605 My leg is bent backwards. 577 00:26:13,605 --> 00:26:14,673 OK. 578 00:26:14,673 --> 00:26:15,307 ACTOR AS MERCEDES RAMIREZ: Please help me. 579 00:26:15,307 --> 00:26:16,508 OK. Hold on. 580 00:26:16,508 --> 00:26:17,309 Hold on. 581 00:26:21,480 --> 00:26:22,281 OK. 582 00:26:22,281 --> 00:26:23,482 Help me, please. 583 00:26:23,482 --> 00:26:24,683 OK. 584 00:26:24,683 --> 00:26:25,951 MERCEDES RAMIREZ: The only way for me to get out 585 00:26:25,951 --> 00:26:29,321 was having to drag myself over people. 586 00:26:29,321 --> 00:26:32,791 And I remember this lady who I had to drag myself over. 587 00:26:32,791 --> 00:26:36,028 And I'll-- I'll never forget her. 588 00:26:39,965 --> 00:26:41,433 [groans] 589 00:26:41,433 --> 00:26:44,002 Looking back, I think, oh, my goodness. 590 00:26:44,002 --> 00:26:46,638 That was someone's mom or that was someone's sister 591 00:26:46,638 --> 00:26:49,641 or someone's wife. 592 00:26:49,641 --> 00:26:52,344 But at that time, she was just an object that I 593 00:26:52,344 --> 00:26:54,413 needed to get over to get out. 594 00:26:54,413 --> 00:26:56,749 ACTOR AS MERCEDES RAMIREZ: [groans] 595 00:26:58,584 --> 00:26:59,451 Can you move? 596 00:26:59,451 --> 00:27:00,252 Can you stand up? 597 00:27:00,252 --> 00:27:01,387 I think my leg is broken. 598 00:27:01,387 --> 00:27:02,354 - OK, well try-- - OK. 599 00:27:02,354 --> 00:27:03,155 --on three. 600 00:27:03,155 --> 00:27:03,956 OK. 601 00:27:03,956 --> 00:27:05,724 One, two, three. 602 00:27:05,724 --> 00:27:06,825 [screams] No, I can't! 603 00:27:06,825 --> 00:27:08,026 I can't! 604 00:27:08,026 --> 00:27:09,695 MERCEDES RAMIREZ: And when he lifted me was when-- 605 00:27:09,695 --> 00:27:11,897 the first time I actually felt pain. 606 00:27:11,897 --> 00:27:14,433 It just felt like an electrical current going up-- 607 00:27:14,433 --> 00:27:15,534 up and down my leg. 608 00:27:15,534 --> 00:27:17,803 So he laid me back down. 609 00:27:17,803 --> 00:27:20,506 And then he went off to-- to try to find help. 610 00:27:20,506 --> 00:27:21,473 I'm going to the village. 611 00:27:21,473 --> 00:27:22,875 OK? OK. 612 00:27:22,875 --> 00:27:23,842 Just stay here. - OK. 613 00:27:23,842 --> 00:27:24,643 OK. 614 00:27:24,643 --> 00:27:25,544 OK. 615 00:27:25,544 --> 00:27:26,879 OK. 616 00:27:26,879 --> 00:27:27,313 OK. 617 00:27:29,048 --> 00:27:31,383 NARRATOR: At first light, the Colombian Air Force 618 00:27:31,383 --> 00:27:34,987 starts the search for the crash site, delayed because they 619 00:27:34,987 --> 00:27:36,622 have no night vision equipment. 620 00:27:55,307 --> 00:27:57,710 GONZALO DUSSAN: When I wake up, I start 621 00:27:57,710 --> 00:28:00,479 to feel the pain in my back. 622 00:28:00,479 --> 00:28:05,150 Then, when I hear this sound of the helicopters, 623 00:28:05,150 --> 00:28:08,120 I realize something happened. 624 00:28:08,120 --> 00:28:10,322 I started, you know, to feel panic. 625 00:28:10,322 --> 00:28:12,558 Help me! 626 00:28:12,558 --> 00:28:15,794 Someone please help me! 627 00:28:15,794 --> 00:28:17,196 ACTOR AS MICHELLE DUSSAN: Daddy, I'm here. 628 00:28:17,196 --> 00:28:18,997 Papa! 629 00:28:18,997 --> 00:28:20,399 Michelle? 630 00:28:20,399 --> 00:28:22,501 NARRATOR: Gonzalo Dussan's six-year-old daughter, 631 00:28:22,501 --> 00:28:24,369 Michelle, still strapped in her seat-- 632 00:28:24,369 --> 00:28:25,637 Michelle, call me. 633 00:28:25,637 --> 00:28:27,673 NARRATOR: --answers her father's desperate call for help. 634 00:28:27,673 --> 00:28:28,741 Keep talking to me. 635 00:28:28,741 --> 00:28:30,709 OK? 636 00:28:30,709 --> 00:28:32,111 Michelle? 637 00:28:32,111 --> 00:28:35,614 GONZALO DUSSAN: So I realized that my daughter was alive too. 638 00:28:35,614 --> 00:28:39,351 Then I started to crawl to try to look 639 00:28:39,351 --> 00:28:42,454 for my-- where the voice of my daughter coming from. 640 00:28:42,454 --> 00:28:43,255 Michelle, please. 641 00:28:43,255 --> 00:28:44,056 I'm coming. 642 00:28:44,056 --> 00:28:45,491 Where are you? 643 00:28:45,491 --> 00:28:46,925 NARRATOR: Dussan struggles to crossed 644 00:28:46,925 --> 00:28:49,061 through the broken and twisted cabin to reach his daughter. 645 00:28:49,061 --> 00:28:50,262 Michelle. 646 00:28:50,262 --> 00:28:51,697 NARRATOR: But she's pinned beneath the wreckage. 647 00:28:51,697 --> 00:28:53,098 - Let me help you. - Ow. 648 00:28:53,098 --> 00:28:53,899 Ow. 649 00:28:53,899 --> 00:28:55,501 My leg hurts. 650 00:28:55,501 --> 00:28:57,903 When the plane crashed, my legs-- 651 00:28:57,903 --> 00:28:59,605 I had my seat belt on. 652 00:28:59,605 --> 00:29:03,809 And I-- I guess the crash were so deep that my legs, 653 00:29:03,809 --> 00:29:04,877 like, speared into the ground. 654 00:29:04,877 --> 00:29:06,111 You OK? 655 00:29:06,111 --> 00:29:07,513 MICHELLE DUSSAN (VOICEOVER): I'd try to move myself, 656 00:29:07,513 --> 00:29:08,847 but my legs hurt. 657 00:29:08,847 --> 00:29:09,848 They hurt really bad. 658 00:29:09,848 --> 00:29:11,383 I couldn't pick myself up. - Ow! 659 00:29:11,383 --> 00:29:12,184 Daddy, it hurts. 660 00:29:12,184 --> 00:29:12,985 OK. 661 00:29:12,985 --> 00:29:14,052 OK, Michelle. 662 00:29:14,052 --> 00:29:15,754 I'm going to get-- get some water for you 663 00:29:15,754 --> 00:29:16,588 soon and bring it back. 664 00:29:16,588 --> 00:29:17,689 OK? 665 00:29:17,689 --> 00:29:21,760 Then I try to crawl more to try to get out. 666 00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:24,029 NARRATOR: Despite a severe back injury, 667 00:29:24,029 --> 00:29:27,432 Dussan manages to crossed towards a small open section 668 00:29:27,432 --> 00:29:29,701 of the fuselage. 669 00:29:29,701 --> 00:29:32,137 GONZALO DUSSAN: I saw a hole behind me, 670 00:29:32,137 --> 00:29:34,439 and I said inside me-- 671 00:29:34,439 --> 00:29:37,609 I said, God, help me to get out from here. 672 00:29:40,612 --> 00:29:43,115 NARRATOR: The survivors of flight 965 673 00:29:43,115 --> 00:29:47,219 realize they have no option but to wait for help, unsure 674 00:29:47,219 --> 00:29:49,955 if it will arrive in time. 675 00:29:49,955 --> 00:29:52,391 The temperatures have fallen dramatically. 676 00:29:52,391 --> 00:29:54,560 And without protective clothing they could 677 00:29:54,560 --> 00:29:56,295 die of exposure within hours. 678 00:30:05,571 --> 00:30:08,040 Since beginning their search at first light, 679 00:30:08,040 --> 00:30:11,276 the Colombian Air Force has yet to spot the crash site. 680 00:30:11,276 --> 00:30:12,077 Michelle! 681 00:30:17,482 --> 00:30:18,951 Over here! 682 00:30:18,951 --> 00:30:20,919 Over here! 683 00:30:20,919 --> 00:30:24,323 I could see the helicopters perfectly from where I was at. 684 00:30:24,323 --> 00:30:28,126 And even though I could see them perfectly, 685 00:30:28,126 --> 00:30:30,329 I didn't know if they could-- if they could see me. 686 00:30:33,565 --> 00:30:35,567 Help us! 687 00:30:35,567 --> 00:30:38,904 When-- when I saw the helicopter very close 688 00:30:38,904 --> 00:30:41,073 to the trees, to the top of the trees, 689 00:30:41,073 --> 00:30:43,041 I start moving the blanket. 690 00:30:43,041 --> 00:30:45,210 I start to move the blanket, then so I say, 691 00:30:45,210 --> 00:30:46,578 oh, they saw-- they saw me. 692 00:30:46,578 --> 00:30:47,679 They saw me. 693 00:30:47,679 --> 00:30:48,480 WOMAN: Here! 694 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:49,548 Help us! 695 00:30:49,548 --> 00:30:52,851 Help us! 696 00:30:52,851 --> 00:30:55,153 NARRATOR: More than eight hours after impact, 697 00:30:55,153 --> 00:30:57,656 and after enduring life threatening injuries 698 00:30:57,656 --> 00:31:01,960 and near-freezing temperatures, the survivors of flight 965 699 00:31:01,960 --> 00:31:04,596 are about to be rescued. 700 00:31:04,596 --> 00:31:06,398 MERCEDES RAMIREZ: People finally know that we're here, 701 00:31:06,398 --> 00:31:08,800 and they're finally here to-- to rescue us 702 00:31:08,800 --> 00:31:11,503 after so many hours of being stuck 703 00:31:11,503 --> 00:31:12,804 on that side of that mountain. 704 00:31:12,804 --> 00:31:17,276 So seeing them was one of the greatest things ever. 705 00:31:17,276 --> 00:31:20,679 [hopeful music] 706 00:31:25,550 --> 00:31:28,353 GONZALO DUSSAN: They came and they throw a rope, 707 00:31:28,353 --> 00:31:30,756 and the people start to descend. 708 00:31:30,756 --> 00:31:34,593 And, you know, I was so happy because I feel, 709 00:31:34,593 --> 00:31:35,694 you know, that they-- 710 00:31:35,694 --> 00:31:36,895 they're going to help us. 711 00:31:48,140 --> 00:31:49,474 NARRATOR: College student Mauricio 712 00:31:49,474 --> 00:31:52,811 Reyes is the first to be airlifted off the mountain. 713 00:31:52,811 --> 00:31:56,214 [somber music] 714 00:32:00,619 --> 00:32:02,921 But low cloud cover delays the removal 715 00:32:02,921 --> 00:32:04,589 of the remaining survivors. 716 00:32:09,361 --> 00:32:11,697 [speaking spanish] 717 00:32:18,870 --> 00:32:20,539 Fearing that six-year-old Michelle 718 00:32:20,539 --> 00:32:23,275 Dussan may not survive, volunteers 719 00:32:23,275 --> 00:32:24,509 take a calculated risk. 720 00:32:24,509 --> 00:32:27,112 [speaking spanish] 721 00:32:27,112 --> 00:32:30,048 They fashion a stretcher from a piece of the wreckage 722 00:32:30,048 --> 00:32:33,285 and begin to evacuate Michelle off the mountain by foot. 723 00:32:38,490 --> 00:32:41,693 Shortly after, the weather clears. 724 00:32:41,693 --> 00:32:44,629 And the remaining survivors are airlifted to a base camp 725 00:32:44,629 --> 00:32:48,233 halfway down the mountain, and then to the hospital. 726 00:32:48,233 --> 00:32:51,136 [speaking spanish] 727 00:32:55,340 --> 00:32:59,745 More than 13 hours after the crash of flight 965, 728 00:32:59,745 --> 00:33:01,913 Michelle Dussan is the last survivor 729 00:33:01,913 --> 00:33:05,117 to emerge from the jungle of El Diluvio alive. 730 00:33:05,117 --> 00:33:06,351 ACTOR AS MICHELLE DUSSAN: Mommy. 731 00:33:06,351 --> 00:33:09,154 I don't think that there is any medical explanation 732 00:33:09,154 --> 00:33:11,623 or scientific explanation. 733 00:33:11,623 --> 00:33:19,431 There is no explanation that out of people that were stronger 734 00:33:19,431 --> 00:33:24,202 and, like, tough, that me, a little girl-- 735 00:33:24,202 --> 00:33:27,172 a six-year-old girl-- could survive out of so many people 736 00:33:27,172 --> 00:33:30,742 that were so much stronger than me. 737 00:33:30,742 --> 00:33:33,111 I just thank God so much. 738 00:33:33,111 --> 00:33:40,285 NARRATOR: Of the 163 aboard flight 965, 159 were lost. 739 00:33:40,285 --> 00:33:41,486 Only four survived. 740 00:33:44,556 --> 00:33:46,792 All of the survivors were seated within two 741 00:33:46,792 --> 00:33:48,860 rows of one another-- 742 00:33:48,860 --> 00:33:51,496 just above the wing and above huge girders, 743 00:33:51,496 --> 00:33:53,365 that make the area the plane's strongest section. 744 00:33:57,035 --> 00:34:00,739 Despite this, Mercedes Ramirez has lost both her parents 745 00:34:00,739 --> 00:34:03,308 on her 21st birthday. 746 00:34:03,308 --> 00:34:07,012 MERCEDES RAMIREZ: December 20, 1995, 747 00:34:07,012 --> 00:34:10,482 my life changed forever, and has never been the same ever since. 748 00:34:14,052 --> 00:34:17,289 There was 160 people on that flight who, 749 00:34:17,289 --> 00:34:20,559 the moment that plane hit that mountain, all their hopes 750 00:34:20,559 --> 00:34:23,895 and dreams were instantly lost. 751 00:34:23,895 --> 00:34:28,133 But for some reason, I've been given a second chance at life. 752 00:34:28,133 --> 00:34:30,035 And so I'm gonna try to make the best of it. 753 00:34:34,706 --> 00:34:36,942 NARRATOR: The evacuation of survivors 754 00:34:36,942 --> 00:34:39,344 gives way to the gruesome task of recovering 755 00:34:39,344 --> 00:34:42,614 the bodies of the 159 souls who perished 756 00:34:42,614 --> 00:34:43,915 on the summit of Mount Diluvio. 757 00:34:48,487 --> 00:34:53,558 Investigators now descend to try to find out how one of the most 758 00:34:53,558 --> 00:34:56,261 sophisticated airliners equipped with state of the art 759 00:34:56,261 --> 00:34:59,531 technology could veer off course and crash more 760 00:34:59,531 --> 00:35:01,500 than 35 miles from the airport. 761 00:35:03,469 --> 00:35:05,738 [suspenseful music] 762 00:35:05,738 --> 00:35:08,874 The investigation into the crash of flight 965 763 00:35:08,874 --> 00:35:11,143 was led by Columbia's Aeronautica Civil. 764 00:35:15,280 --> 00:35:17,549 Assisting the Colombians were investigators 765 00:35:17,549 --> 00:35:20,452 from the US National Transportation Safety Board, 766 00:35:20,452 --> 00:35:22,154 including Dave Ivey. 767 00:35:22,154 --> 00:35:25,991 DAVID IVEY: The wreckage and debris report indicated 768 00:35:25,991 --> 00:35:31,430 that the airplane actually impacted the eastern side 769 00:35:31,430 --> 00:35:34,299 of the mountain as it was trying to proceed back 770 00:35:34,299 --> 00:35:37,102 west to get into the valley. 771 00:35:37,102 --> 00:35:41,073 And the main body of the wreckage 772 00:35:41,073 --> 00:35:44,710 cleared the mountain top or the ridge, 773 00:35:44,710 --> 00:35:48,781 I should say, and landed over on the western side, which 774 00:35:48,781 --> 00:35:50,783 is inside the valley area. 775 00:35:50,783 --> 00:35:53,419 [ominous music] 776 00:35:54,486 --> 00:35:55,988 NARRATOR: Also following the investigation 777 00:35:55,988 --> 00:35:58,624 was Dave Simmon, an airline captain who 778 00:35:58,624 --> 00:36:01,727 knew the Cali approach well. 779 00:36:01,727 --> 00:36:03,796 DAVE SIMMON: In the days that followed the crash, 780 00:36:03,796 --> 00:36:05,731 the industry was shocked. 781 00:36:05,731 --> 00:36:08,167 They were shocked because they didn't know 782 00:36:08,167 --> 00:36:12,805 how could a sophisticated airplane like the 757, 783 00:36:12,805 --> 00:36:16,675 flown by a well-respected international carrier 784 00:36:16,675 --> 00:36:19,611 like American Airlines, with well-trained crews, 785 00:36:19,611 --> 00:36:21,780 get so far off course. 786 00:36:21,780 --> 00:36:26,218 Nobody could figure out how did it happen, why did it happen. 787 00:36:26,218 --> 00:36:29,455 [somber music] 788 00:36:30,856 --> 00:36:33,625 NARRATOR: Sabotage and mechanical malfunction 789 00:36:33,625 --> 00:36:37,196 were soon ruled out. 790 00:36:37,196 --> 00:36:39,865 Attention turned to the actions of the flight crew. 791 00:36:44,470 --> 00:36:47,372 The discovery of the black boxes enabled investigators 792 00:36:47,372 --> 00:36:54,379 to follow the final moments of American Airlines flight 965. 793 00:36:54,379 --> 00:36:58,083 There is never one single item that-- 794 00:36:58,083 --> 00:37:01,019 or error that typically brings an airplane down. 795 00:37:01,019 --> 00:37:02,387 There's an error chain. 796 00:37:02,387 --> 00:37:05,057 And a chain is made up of many links. 797 00:37:05,057 --> 00:37:07,493 The airplane was en route to Cali. 798 00:37:07,493 --> 00:37:11,630 As they were approaching from a distance out, 799 00:37:11,630 --> 00:37:14,566 the controller offered them a straight in landing. 800 00:37:14,566 --> 00:37:17,169 Are you able to approach runway 19? 801 00:37:17,169 --> 00:37:19,371 Would you like to shoot the 19 straight in? 802 00:37:19,371 --> 00:37:20,672 Uh, yeah. 803 00:37:20,672 --> 00:37:22,107 We'll have to scramble to get down. 804 00:37:22,107 --> 00:37:23,108 We can do it. 805 00:37:23,108 --> 00:37:26,144 When they first accepted the approach, 806 00:37:26,144 --> 00:37:28,247 the first officer remarked that we 807 00:37:28,247 --> 00:37:32,284 do need to get down in a hurry in order to accomplish this. 808 00:37:32,284 --> 00:37:33,485 Yes, sir. 809 00:37:33,485 --> 00:37:35,654 We'll need a lower altitude right away, though. 810 00:37:35,654 --> 00:37:39,658 At the time the crew accepted the approach to runway 19, 811 00:37:39,658 --> 00:37:42,928 they were too high, too fast, and too close 812 00:37:42,928 --> 00:37:46,298 in to safely make this approach. 813 00:37:46,298 --> 00:37:48,333 NARRATOR: To lose altitude, the first officer 814 00:37:48,333 --> 00:37:50,502 deploys the speed brakes-- 815 00:37:50,502 --> 00:37:53,672 an action that will prove disastrous in the final segment 816 00:37:53,672 --> 00:37:55,874 of the flight. 817 00:37:55,874 --> 00:37:59,978 The fact that they accepted that runway put the crew 818 00:37:59,978 --> 00:38:02,214 in a rushed and hurried manner. 819 00:38:02,214 --> 00:38:03,682 Maybe at Tulua first of all. 820 00:38:03,682 --> 00:38:06,118 You want to go right to Cali or to Tulua? 821 00:38:06,118 --> 00:38:08,020 I thought he said the Rozo one arrival. 822 00:38:08,020 --> 00:38:09,087 Yeah, he did. 823 00:38:09,087 --> 00:38:10,656 We got time to pull that out? 824 00:38:10,656 --> 00:38:13,592 NARRATOR: The flight crew now must study the approach charts 825 00:38:13,592 --> 00:38:15,928 and reprogram the computer. 826 00:38:15,928 --> 00:38:17,996 Meanwhile, the airplane is moving at more 827 00:38:17,996 --> 00:38:20,265 than 5 miles per minute. 828 00:38:20,265 --> 00:38:25,170 Because they're rushed, and in a hurry, and scrambling, 829 00:38:25,170 --> 00:38:29,675 they then make a dangerous request. 830 00:38:29,675 --> 00:38:33,478 Can American Airlines 965 go director to Rozo 831 00:38:33,478 --> 00:38:35,981 and then do the Rozo arrivals, sir? 832 00:38:35,981 --> 00:38:37,749 Affirmative. 833 00:38:37,749 --> 00:38:40,819 Take the Rozo one and runway 19. 834 00:38:40,819 --> 00:38:45,791 When the controller said affirmative, take the Rozo one, 835 00:38:45,791 --> 00:38:49,061 he meant use the Rozo one arrival 836 00:38:49,061 --> 00:38:51,897 procedure, although the crew thought 837 00:38:51,897 --> 00:38:54,533 he meant to go direct to Rozo. 838 00:38:54,533 --> 00:38:56,168 That's not a good idea. 839 00:38:56,168 --> 00:39:00,038 Because to proceed direct to Rozo 840 00:39:00,038 --> 00:39:03,909 is the last point just before the runway. 841 00:39:03,909 --> 00:39:08,413 And Rozo is the last point before landing, not 842 00:39:08,413 --> 00:39:11,116 the first point that you should be targeting. 843 00:39:11,116 --> 00:39:14,252 And this miscommunication really dealt with the pilot 844 00:39:14,252 --> 00:39:17,055 believing one thing and the air traffic controller 845 00:39:17,055 --> 00:39:18,190 believing another. 846 00:39:18,190 --> 00:39:19,691 That was another link, in my view-- 847 00:39:19,691 --> 00:39:21,193 ACTOR AS NICHOLAS TAFURI: What happened here? 848 00:39:21,193 --> 00:39:23,095 DAVID IVEY: --that was part of the error chain. 849 00:39:23,095 --> 00:39:25,030 Where are we? 850 00:39:25,030 --> 00:39:27,099 DAVE SIMMON: The crew looks at their-- 851 00:39:27,099 --> 00:39:29,368 at their charts in front of them, 852 00:39:29,368 --> 00:39:31,336 and they see the fixed Rozo. 853 00:39:31,336 --> 00:39:33,872 And it is identified by the letter R. 854 00:39:33,872 --> 00:39:37,442 So they naturally put R into the computer 855 00:39:37,442 --> 00:39:40,979 thinking it will take them directly to Rozo. 856 00:39:40,979 --> 00:39:43,682 NARRATOR: The computer offers a list to choose from. 857 00:39:43,682 --> 00:39:47,853 But, unbeknownst to the pilots, none is Rozo. 858 00:39:47,853 --> 00:39:49,588 Habit has shown-- 859 00:39:49,588 --> 00:39:53,425 and the system is designed to place the one that is 860 00:39:53,425 --> 00:39:55,761 closest to your airplane first. 861 00:39:55,761 --> 00:40:03,035 And so here was an R that showed up first and he selected that. 862 00:40:03,035 --> 00:40:05,137 NARRATOR: A display in front of the pilot 863 00:40:05,137 --> 00:40:08,974 shows the proposed course to the waypoint selected. 864 00:40:08,974 --> 00:40:12,944 It will take the plane left, into the mountains. 865 00:40:12,944 --> 00:40:15,480 DAVID IVEY: According to American Airlines procedure, 866 00:40:15,480 --> 00:40:20,052 prior to executing an input such as this 867 00:40:20,052 --> 00:40:24,489 to select the R, you confirm with the other pilot, 868 00:40:24,489 --> 00:40:26,692 does this look correct to you. 869 00:40:26,692 --> 00:40:29,027 965, 9,000 feet. 870 00:40:29,027 --> 00:40:30,762 This clearly was not done. 871 00:40:30,762 --> 00:40:34,032 If it had been, they would have seen a dotted line 872 00:40:34,032 --> 00:40:38,070 showing a provisional path from the nose of the airplane, 873 00:40:38,070 --> 00:40:42,441 turning, and going back to about their 7 o'clock position. 874 00:40:42,441 --> 00:40:47,045 NARRATOR: Captain Tafuri hastily presses the Execute button. 875 00:40:47,045 --> 00:40:49,047 DAVE SIMMON: Unfortunately, the crew 876 00:40:49,047 --> 00:40:54,386 does not know that R stands for another fix that 877 00:40:54,386 --> 00:40:59,558 is 132 miles away, behind them, at about their 7 878 00:40:59,558 --> 00:41:00,859 o'clock position. 879 00:41:00,859 --> 00:41:05,230 And that's where the airplane starts to go to. 880 00:41:05,230 --> 00:41:06,832 DAVID IVEY: The plane was simply doing 881 00:41:06,832 --> 00:41:09,234 what it was programmed to do. 882 00:41:09,234 --> 00:41:15,006 In this case it's to fly out of Bogota, 130 miles away. 883 00:41:15,006 --> 00:41:17,008 NARRATOR: More than a minute into the turn, 884 00:41:17,008 --> 00:41:20,579 the pilots are unaware they're flying away from Cali 885 00:41:20,579 --> 00:41:24,249 and dangerously off course. 886 00:41:24,249 --> 00:41:26,218 DAVE SIMMON: The first officer is getting the charts out. 887 00:41:26,218 --> 00:41:27,853 The captain's getting the charts out. 888 00:41:27,853 --> 00:41:29,087 They don't know where we're headed. 889 00:41:29,087 --> 00:41:31,022 DAVE SIMMON: They're trying to tune radios. 890 00:41:31,022 --> 00:41:32,758 No one's flying the airplane. 891 00:41:32,758 --> 00:41:34,659 No one's watching what happens. 892 00:41:34,659 --> 00:41:36,995 And they assume that the automation 893 00:41:36,995 --> 00:41:38,430 is gonna take care of 'em. 894 00:41:38,430 --> 00:41:41,399 Sometimes it will, but in this case it didn't. 895 00:41:41,399 --> 00:41:44,836 Uh, where are we? 896 00:41:44,836 --> 00:41:45,904 We're going out to-- 897 00:41:45,904 --> 00:41:48,807 Let's go right to Tulua first of all, OK? 898 00:41:48,807 --> 00:41:52,177 DAVID IVEY: In this case, the airplane got in front of them. 899 00:41:52,177 --> 00:41:54,679 It was flying what was selected. 900 00:41:54,679 --> 00:41:58,950 And, in fact, it was flying beyond the pilot's 901 00:41:58,950 --> 00:42:02,954 recognition of where it was supposed to be traveling. 902 00:42:02,954 --> 00:42:04,956 NARRATOR: The pilots had lost what's referred 903 00:42:04,956 --> 00:42:07,492 to as situational awareness. 904 00:42:07,492 --> 00:42:09,728 Left turn, so you want a left turn back around. 905 00:42:09,728 --> 00:42:10,362 No. Hell, no. 906 00:42:10,362 --> 00:42:11,396 Let's press onto-- 907 00:42:11,396 --> 00:42:13,198 Well, we're pressing to where, though? 908 00:42:13,198 --> 00:42:14,099 Tulua. 909 00:42:14,099 --> 00:42:14,933 That's a right U and-- 910 00:42:14,933 --> 00:42:16,268 Well, where are we going? 911 00:42:16,268 --> 00:42:18,670 DAVE SIMMON: Once they became unsure of their position-- 912 00:42:18,670 --> 00:42:22,307 once they became confused and disoriented-- 913 00:42:22,307 --> 00:42:25,010 that's the time to click off the automation 914 00:42:25,010 --> 00:42:28,647 and to basically abandon the approach, 915 00:42:28,647 --> 00:42:33,151 climb to the minimum safe altitude, and to go to Cali. 916 00:42:33,151 --> 00:42:34,686 965, altitude? 917 00:42:34,686 --> 00:42:36,588 NARRATOR: Instead of abandoning the approach 918 00:42:36,588 --> 00:42:41,593 and gaining altitude, flight 965 continued its deadly descent. 919 00:42:41,593 --> 00:42:43,528 [suspenseful music] 920 00:42:44,329 --> 00:42:45,730 [alarm buzzing] 921 00:42:45,730 --> 00:42:48,667 When the warning sounded that the plane was about to crash-- 922 00:42:48,667 --> 00:42:49,801 [screaming] 923 00:42:49,801 --> 00:42:52,337 --First Officer Williams disengaged the autopilot 924 00:42:52,337 --> 00:42:55,640 within one second, but forgot to retract the speed 925 00:42:55,640 --> 00:42:58,076 brakes he deployed earlier. 926 00:42:58,076 --> 00:43:00,078 AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL (ON RADIO): 965, this is Cali Approach. 927 00:43:00,078 --> 00:43:00,979 Can you hear me? 928 00:43:08,720 --> 00:43:10,388 NARRATOR: According to the official report, 929 00:43:10,388 --> 00:43:12,891 had he remembered to lower the speed brakes, 930 00:43:12,891 --> 00:43:15,660 the plane could have cleared the mountain with room to spare. 931 00:43:18,230 --> 00:43:22,267 A court eventually ruled that the pilots of flight 965 932 00:43:22,267 --> 00:43:27,038 had shown willful misconduct on the approach to Cali. 933 00:43:27,038 --> 00:43:30,475 Survivor Mercedes Ramirez, who lost both her parents, 934 00:43:30,475 --> 00:43:33,445 continues to deal with the crash. 935 00:43:33,445 --> 00:43:36,114 I think this was a classic textbook 936 00:43:36,114 --> 00:43:42,821 case of everything you should not do when flying a plane. 937 00:43:42,821 --> 00:43:45,123 Hopefully it's a wake up call to pilots that, 938 00:43:45,123 --> 00:43:48,560 no matter how many times you've flown to a city, 939 00:43:48,560 --> 00:43:50,929 you just have to be alert and aware. 940 00:43:50,929 --> 00:43:52,998 Because every little move that you make, 941 00:43:52,998 --> 00:43:56,468 you have the lives of people in your hands. 69425

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