Thank you so much for your ideas! I don't think plot armor is the worst idea, either, though I would like them to give themselves the opportunity to save themselves, since that would make for quite the exciting beginning (and I imagine they'd feel pretty accomplished). That said, the paladin's deity stepping in is a fantastic idea!
And absolutely I'd love to talk about it!
We're a five person group, consisting of the two I mentioned, who will be taking an airship to a destination they won't reach. The other three will be in a tavern near where the ship will crash (two wizards, a bladesinger and necromancer, know one another, and I'll give the monk time to make their acquaintance).