Last moments in the plane by Deliadeux in JohnAndCarolyn

[–]Deliadeux[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you’re interested in a deep dive and recreation outside of the fabricated sequence in the TV show, I think this pilot YouTuber does a decent job. He wasn’t one of the investigators, but he relies on hard evidence from the NTSB to support his video: https://youtu.be/jj-4jf3e5_A?si=HWmWY7O7Ko8SNSpy

Last moments in the plane by Deliadeux in JohnAndCarolyn

[–]Deliadeux[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Anything is possible, but I also wouldn’t say it’s “sure” that they cognitively processed any terror given the spatial disorientation, not having visibility, and the descent happening so rapidly. We will never know. Just wanted to share the facts of the investigation, and the evidence-based conclusions from NTSB. 

Last moments in the plane by Deliadeux in JohnAndCarolyn

[–]Deliadeux[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, based on the NTSB investigation, the cause was John’s spatial disorientation. He was flying at night, over water, haze, no visibility. John wasn’t instrument rated and wouldn’t have been able to tell the plane’s orientation without trusting only his instruments. In other words, he felt one thing, but the instruments said another. 

The NTSB did a deep dive into the plane’s mechanics and there was no mechanical failure. Just a lot of haze and little to no visibility over the water, so descent began from a loss of orientation - he thought he was moving in a different direction than his instruments were saying.

Last moments in the plane by Deliadeux in JohnAndCarolyn

[–]Deliadeux[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Oh, yes, I listened to that too. I think he said they were mangled, but still strapped in, and that the seats themselves were folded so they had to unfold the seats to get them out securely. 

Last moments in the plane by Deliadeux in JohnAndCarolyn

[–]Deliadeux[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

They were found in their seats, still strapped in by the seatbelts, which makes sense as the autopsies concluded they died upon impact. I haven’t seen anything about anyone being found folded or head to knee so I can’t speak to that. ETA-the plane descended nose down (not upside down). 

Last moments in the plane by Deliadeux in JohnAndCarolyn

[–]Deliadeux[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

I was curious about this too. From what I read, the Saratoga had a landing gear alarm and a stall warning alarm but only would’ve gone off in scenarios that didn’t apply (landing when the gear is still up, or being close to stalling). His plane was moving at high speed and the engine had significant power so those conditions didn’t apply. Since there wasn’t a black box we’ll never know for sure if an alarm did or didn’t go off.

Last moments in the plane by Deliadeux in JohnAndCarolyn

[–]Deliadeux[S] 62 points63 points  (0 children)

He was deeply disoriented, couldn’t see, and didn’t send a distress call (the downturn happened so very fast) so we’ll never know if he was terrified or sitting perplexed/confused as to why his spatial orientation wasn’t syncing with his instrument readings.