在美国，平均每天只有三千名管制员在指挥着 空中那些载有两百万乘客的二十万架飞机。
“我最大的恐惧是什么？ 那就是当你做了你所能做的一切之后， 还是看着从你屏幕上消失的东西去想象会发生什么事。”
芝加哥空中交通控制中心 7月3日，1993年
Please maintain flight level 2-4-zero.
请保持飞行高度240
U.S. air 34,
联航34
you have opposite direction traffic
你的对面上方将有飞机驶来
at 12 o'clock.
在12点方向
Expect higher wind. Clear.
可能有大风，完毕
1st pilot: Chicago, U.S. air, Roger.
芝加哥，我是联航，收到
Close escrow yet?
关闭托管吗？
是的
Yeah.
Twa 45, this is Chicago center.
TWA45，这里是芝加哥中心
You have a good evening, sir.
祝你晚上愉快，先生
Yeah, but Ann wants to add on...
可是安想再休假照顾孩子
A nursery.
Oh, it's about time.
这只是时间问题。
We could always use another controller.
我们总能找到另外一个管制员
Yankee 20, Chicago center,
北方20，这里是芝加哥中心
descend and maintain flight level 2-zero-zero.
请下降并保持飞行高度200
Detroit, altimeter 2-niner-8-3.
底特律高度2983
2nd pilot: Chicago center, transair 2-niner-zero.
芝加哥中心，我是国际联航290
Transair 2-9 to Chicago center, go ahead.
国际联航290，我是芝加哥中心，继续飞行
Uh, center,we have a situation.
中心，我们遇到麻烦
We have flames on engine number 2.
2号发动机起火了
Transair 290, this is Chicago center.
国际联航290，我是芝加哥中心
I'm standing by to assist.
我会协助你
You have emergency clearance for runway niner-right.
你在右侧9号跑道紧急降落 控制塔，出现一号紧急情况，请清除……
Twa 2-9-2,expedite descent,
TWA292，马上降低高度
maintain flight level 1-5,000.
保持飞行高度15000 右侧9号跑道，让那些红色卡车开走
Bonanza tango 1,turn left heading 1-4-zero.
伯纳扎1号，左转140
Hawker bravo Charlie, turn left heading 1-8-zero,maintain 1-5,000.
HBC左转180，保持高度15000
Number 100 foxtrot,imperative, turn left heading 3-zero-zero.
福克斯特罗特100号,紧急左转300
Jackie,you've got American 45.
杰克，你负责美航45
Jackie: Got it.
杰克：明白
Transair 290,I'm standing by to assist.
国际航空290，我来协助你
How many?
飞机上有多少人？
Transair 290,this is Chicago center,
国际航空290，这里是芝加哥中心
say, how many souls?
快说，飞机上有多少人？
2nd pilot: Uh, Chicago,we are counting now.
芝加哥，我们正在清点人数
You are clear to turn and descend at your own discretion.
你现在可以自由调头
2nd pilot: Center, we are looking for niner-right.
中心，我们正在寻找右9号跑道
Here we go.
找到了
Hawker bravo Charlie, this is Chicago center,come in.
HBC，这里是芝加哥中心，请飞进来
Hawker bravo Charlie, this is Chicago center,
HBC，我是芝加哥中心
you have a traffic alert at 12 o'clock, 5 Miles,
正上方5英里处会有飞行警报
imperative you turn left heading 1-8-zero.
你必须紧急左转，飞行方向180
2nd pilot: 2-niner-zero descending.
290正在降低高度
Uh, get your hand off your joystick, man.
伙计，可千万别出什么事（把你的手从操纵杆拿开）
Hawker bravo Charlie, this is Chicago center.
HBC，我是芝加哥中心
3rd pilot: Chicago center, hawker bravo Charlie with you.
芝加哥中心，收到
Hawker bravo Charlie, this is Chicago center.
HBC，我是芝加哥中心
You have a traffic alert at 12 o'clock,
正上方位于5英里处会有飞行警报
5 Miles,imperative you turn left heading 1-8-zero.
紧急左转,飞行方向180
3rd pilot: Chicago center, hawker bravo Charlie,we're turning.
芝加哥中心，这里是HBC,我们正在调头
2nd pilot: Chicago,2-niner-zero,
芝加哥，我是290
I have a collision alert.
我收到碰撞警告
Transair,traffic is clearing.
国际航空290，正在清理空中交通
Not a factor.
不止一个麻烦
2nd pilot: Are you sure, Chicago?
你肯定吗，芝加哥中心？
Affirmative, 290.Hawker bravo Charlie, call your heading.
没问题290，HBC报告你的飞行方向
3rd pilot: Hawker bravo Charlie is at zero-niner-zero.
HBC，方位090
That guy flies like my ex-wife drives.
那个家伙开飞机就像我前妻开汽车
2nd pilot: Chicago center, 2-niner-zero,
芝加哥中心，我是290
we have that information for you now.
我们现已清点完人数
Including crew, we have 174 souls on board.
包括机组成员在内，飞机上共有174人
Thank you,transair 290. You are looking good.
谢谢290，你飞得不错
2-niner-zero, out of 8,000 and descending.
290，高度8000，正在下降
Transair 290, contact O'Hare tower at 127.65.
国际航空290呼叫欧海尔控制塔，方位127.65，
You have a good evening, sir.
一切正常，先生
2nd pilot: Good night to you.
晚上好，芝加哥
Couldn't have made it without you, Chicago.
没有你，我们无法解决问题，芝加哥
Thank you, sir.
谢谢，先生
[Warning alarm]
警报
Transair 90, you have a low altitude alert.
国际航空290，海拔太低，出现警报
Check your altimeter immediately.
马上检查高度表
2nd pilot: Chicago, 2-9-zero, Roger.
芝加哥，我是290，收到
Level it. Level it!
稳住……稳住……
Transair 2-9-zero, this is Chicago center.
国际航空290，我是芝加哥中心
2nd pilot: Uh, Chicago, we are--
芝加哥，我们……
more, more.
更高，更高
That's it. That's it.
好了，好了……
Transair 290, this is Chicago center,
国际航空290，我是芝加哥中心，
do you copy? We've lost positive radar contact.
听见了吗？雷达无法探测到你们
Tower, do you have him?
控制塔，看见他了吗？
Tower: Negative.
没有
Transair 2-niner-zero, this is Chicago, copy.
国际航空290，这里是芝加哥中心，收到吗？
Transair 2-niner-zero, this is Chicago center, copy?
国际航空290，这里是芝加哥中心，收到吗？
Transair 2-niner-zero, this is Chicago center, copy?
国际航空290，这里是芝加哥中心，收到吗？
Do you want me to call it?
你想让我来呼叫吗？
Transair 2-niner-zero, this is Chicago center.Do you copy?
国际航空290，这里是芝加哥中心，收到吗？
I'm going to call it, Jack.
我来呼叫吧，杰克
Transair 2-niner-zero, this is Chicago center.Do you copy?
国际航空290，这里是芝加哥中心，收到吗？
Jack.
杰克
Tower, we've lost 2-niner.
控制塔，290消失了
Tower: Roger, center. We have smoke on the horizon.
我是控制塔，地平线上出现烟雾
Jack?
杰克？
[Siren]
To recap what little details we have at this time,
现在回顾一下今天的新闻
transair flight 290 crashed shortly after takeoff from Chicago's O'Hare airport.
国际航空290号从芝加哥欧海尔机场起飞后不久坠毁
174 passengers and crew onboard.
机上载有174名乘客和机组成员
It appears there are no survivors.
目前尚无人生还
The national transportation safety...
全国交通安全委员会已开始调查……
五年后
砰砰 [Knock on door]
砰砰 [Knock knock]
杰克，是我T.C. Hey, Jack, it's t.C.
我就来 Coming.
你好T.C. Hey, t.C.
嘿 Hey.
你怎么样？ How you doin'?
我很好，你也应该偶尔给我回个电话 Good. You ought to try returning a telephone call now and then.
很抱歉 Yeah, I'm sorry about that.
没打扰你吧？ Am I interrupting anything?
没有，我正准备开始工作 No, I'm just getting ready to start work.
不，谢谢，我只能待一会儿 Oh, no, thanks. I can't stay.
顺路来看看你怎么样了 I just came by to see how you were doing,
看看你愿不愿意和我一起去参加圣诞晚会 see if you want to go to a Christmas party with me.
还有呢？ And...
好了伙计，别这样 Come on, man,give me a break.
六个月前我到这儿换机去菲尼克斯 I transferred down here to Phoenix 6 months ago,
我已经见过你两次了 I've seen you twice.
Yeah, and both times you couldn't help yourself,
but bring it up.
So why don't you just get it over with?
That's the trouble talkin' to controllers.
You're always 3 moves ahead.
You're working me like I'm traffic.
That's what Ann used to say.
Sorry about that.
Yeah, me, too.
So, how's the software business?
Ah, it's just a bunch of ones and zeros
and zeros and ones.
I still find it hard to believe you'd rather work on
an air traffic control computer game than call real traffic.
The pay is real good and people seem to like it.
The kids think I'm really cool.
All right, here's the pitch.
Damn it, Jack, I want you on my team.
I'm strapped.
Murphy retired. He's gone.
Robin's out on a pregnancy leave.
McBain transferred to socal tracon.
I don't know what to tell you, t.C.,
but I do not miss calling traffic.
Look, I'm not asking for a career move here.
Just a couple of weeks, that's all.
Help me over the holiday hump.
I can't. Ok?
Ok, I'm happy with what I'm doing.
I really am. I'm--I'm happy.
And I'm late.
So, what about tonight? You got plans or what?
Got to work.
I'm going to get you plugged back in.
You know that, don't you?
It's just a matter of time.
Now, I want you to think about it.
That's all.
Ok.
Hey, t.C.
Yeah?
Happy holidays.
You, too, hotshot. You, too.
T.C.: United 129,
contact Phoenix 1-2-zero-point-5.
Pilot: Roger. Happy new year, Phoenix.
Roger, united.
Happy new year to you, too, sir. Good day.
American 15, I'll pass you to Tucson.
Hey, Earl!
Man on phone: Got no wheels.
Mr. Bryant--
well, what about that motorcycle?
Didn't you get that thing running?
Sid to one delta foxtrot,
descend and maintain 7,000.
Amanda, come on,
you know I can't order you.
Look, I promised my kids...
Sierra Sundance, Santa Fe...
Skyways 309, Phoenix center,
turn left 20 degrees for sequencing.
Mr. Bryant, I'm Julie Albrecht--
bad dog 45, Phoenix center, Roger.
Louie, I don't care what the union memo says.
I need bodies here.
Bryant, we got the latest weather.
Amanda, I'll rotate you out first, I promise.
Mr. Bryant--
Louie, what's it gonna be? What's it gonna be?
Bryant, well, I can't make it. I already told you that.
Louie!
Tell him if he can't get here
in an hour to forget it.
Earl, you're on.
Louie: Bryant? Bryant?
Hello?
Who are you?
Look at this.
L.A.'s getting walloped.
Is this going to hit us tonight?
You tell me.
Where's the golden girl?
Up in her office kissing senator rutherford's butt.
Hi, I'm--
Julie Albrecht. I'm glad you're here.
Right...
Senator, it is such a pleasure to see you again.
I promise we'll get you away as soon as we can.
You've got to do better than that.
I'm introducing the president live
on all the networks.
Well, uh, 5:30? I promise.
It makes me proud
that the system's best young facilities chief
is right here in my hometown.
Hmm.
Oh, I'm glad you're here.
There's something I want to show you.
I've asked Washington
for permission to create an incentive.
A reward system for the troops.
Say, if a controller goes 5 years
without a phraseology error,
give him a... F.A.A. Coffee mug.
What do you think?
Oh, I think they'll love it.
Ok, ok, all aircraft in my center, listen up.
Keep it moving
and everything will be all right.
I'm going to tuck you in tight like a g-string.
Bryant!
I'm sending you united 450, hoss.
Come on, step up,
or we're gonna take you out back and shoot you.
I got it, smart guy.
Pilot: Center, sky Atlantic 9-2-5,
we're really getting bounced around here.
Can you give us an ascent of 2-5-zero?
Controller: 9-2-5, negative. Hold your altitude.
Uh, Phoenix, we really need to get out of this now.
Negative. Traffic beneath you.
Break out the barf bags, bro.
I don't see him on tcas.
I'm not going to risk it.
[Electrical buzz]
Oh! What's going on?
Check your strips.
Increase minimum separation to 20 Miles.
Probably only a hiccup.
Quinn?
Quinn?!
Quinn!
What's happening?!
Will you tell miss golden girl
to back off?!
Or she can come down here...
Get on her hands and knees her own self.
Ok.
All right, look,
I really need your cooperation now.
So I'm going to push your buttons,
and you're gonna start.
Ok.
Thank you.
Ok, all right, go to b sequence.
[Bleeps]
United 3-3-3, contact k.C. Center
at one-one-niner-point-9-5.
We're back on line.
I want you to get plugged in.
Me?
Yeah, we'll find you a quiet sector.
Great.
Alaska 27-37, maintain level 300.
Pilot: Phoenix, I'm assuming you mean 3-zero-zero.
I'm cool.
Is this job too easy for you?
It's a big sky, hoss.
Uh, Phoenix 9-2-5, we have found the smooth air.
Thank you very much, sir.
Happy new year.
9-2-5, Roger.
Don't get cocky.
Oh, jeez.
[Warning alarm]
Randy.
Oh, jeez. Oh, jeez!
Repeat, delta 285,
say your present heading and altitude.
Center, I'm still at 2-8-zero at 350.
America 415, say your heading and altitude.
Pilot: 415, does that show? And I'm showing 200.
415, descend to 13,000.
Delta 285, maintain present altitude.
Pilot: 285, Roger.
[Warning alarm]
They flip-flopped.
It's the machine.
Take a break.
Take a break?
Take 20. I need you back strong.
I can't work like this.
Pilot: Center, delta 285,
you haven't asked my heading in a couple of minutes.
Machines...
Delta 285, excuse us.
T.C.: A little early happy new year. No problem.
I'm not going to report the blackout.
It was a nonevent.
Let's just make sure
it doesn't happen again, ok?
Mm-hmm.
Did you know that the only other tube like this
in the entire world is owned by some
retired NASA pencil jockey
who lives in huntsville, Alabama?
He keeps it above his fireplace.
He calls it Tammy.
I call this Bob.
Now, you want a perfect operation, so do I.
So, all I need is some equipment.
If you can find it, a budget.
Bob.
[Footsteps]
Hey, old man.
If you can tell me exactly how many turns
to vector from here to dunkin' donuts,
I'll give you the whole box.
I hate donuts.
Everybody likes donuts.
2 hours South-southwest.
Medical street.
7.
Ok, this is where we stand.
On top of our normal rotation,
we're being asked to accept 50 more,
plus the entire pacific rim, lax evening cycle.
Los Angeles is out, too?
Mm-hmm.
Walks off.
Zero visibility. Zero ceiling.
I'll say it again.
A crush like this would kill us on a sunny day in July.
And if this storm hits us--
50-50.
Right now the front has stalled
about 100 Miles west of here.
Good. Then that's it.
So you're gonna do it? You gonna take these additional flights?
Why should we let Denver and salt lake
have all the fun, big guy?
Excuse me.
Excuse me, I have an important safety matter to discuss.
Excuse me!
I believe Randy groves is still calling traffic.
It wasn't his fault.
I'm filing on him.
It was level 2, loss of separation.
Page 740, appendix a, any airspace conflict
must be reported and investigated,
and the controller involved immediately removed.
I'm filing on him.
You wouldn't have one of these
stuck up your ass, would you?
[Keystrokes]
[Telephone rings]
[Ring]
Jack's voice: You've reached Jack Harris.
At the sound of the tone, please leave a message.
Thank you.
[Beep]
T.C.: Jack, if you're there, pick up.
Look, Jack, I need your help.
You won't believe what this new chief
is shoving down my throat.
I'm being selfish here,
but...I'm... Well, I'm strapped.
Come on, Jack, just one night.
What do you say, hotshot?
[Beep]
Come on, Jack, just one night.
What do you say, hotshot?
[Beep]
Randy?
Oh, there you are.
Are you all right?
Yeah.
You good to go?
I'm ok.
I'm cool.
So did you hear what the golden girl is doing to us down there?
Pilot: Global 56, holding at the alley.
Global 56, taxi to 2-6-right
via delta to Charlie and hold by Mac.
I am so glad to be out of that dungeon.
Pilot: Tower, we hit some roadkill on echo.
You might want to notify maintenance.
Uh, negative, captain.
We'll just call your catering service.
Laura: Virgin 105,
flow says it's another 40 minutes of snooze
before Chicago release.
Might as well unbuckle.
American 23, runway 2-6-left,
cleared to land,
winds 2-niner-zero at 8 knots.
Altimeter 2-niner-8-7.
Pilot: American 23, 2-6-left, Roger.
On your right!
We're responsible for the airspace
from central Texas to the California border,
all the way to within 5 Miles of the airport.
This is sector 14 high.
You'll be handling all ifr traffic
above 18,000 feet.
Right.
Now, you have 4 planes here
that match these strips.
There's their flight plans,
their squawk codes... Hell, you know all this.
Right, just like at the academy.
Yeah. Well, you look to be in good shape.
Keep 'em apart, no trouble.
All right, don't worry about me.
Oh, great. The backups are arriving.
I feel so much better.
Sam: Don't you know who that is?
Cruise: No.
Oh, that's right.
He left before you came.
Global 56, turn right heading zero-8-zero.
I got a 50 spot
that says he has a deal tonight.
Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute.
Just...Any kind of deal or separation lost.
Southwest 30, climb and maintain flight level 2-3-zero.
Ah, forget it. It's not a fair bet.
Why?
That's 290 Harris.
[Laughs]
Just think, I was going to call in sick tonight.
No, no, no.
Thank you, sir.
Hey. Hey!
Pilot: American 15, with you at 1-5,000.
Roger, American 15, maintain 1-5,000.
Resume normal speed.
How you doing, t.C.?
Hey, good. I knew you were still alive
in there somewhere.
Pilot: Happy new year.
Roger, ups 19 heavy.
Happy new year to you, too, sir.
I'm ready and I'm here. Where do you want me?
Uh, right. Well, uh...
You're not going to need that, actually.
I want you assisting on the printers.
You want me running flight strips?
Sure, man. I'm there.
I mean, you know I'm going to help you
get plugged back in, but...
Sampson 750, Phoenix control,
descend and maintain one-1,000.
I mean, believe me, this is not the night.
Look what we're dealing with.
I understand. It's all right.
Yeah, I'll check with you later.
I know. Let's get a drink or something.
I don't drink.
A cup of tea. Whatever.
You got it, t.C., thanks.
Cactus 68, advise when you get the numbers.
Delta, cleared to roll. Winds 2-5-5 at 8.
See you next time.
Man: Hello? Hello?
Can anyone give me directions
to the festival of lights in tempe?
What the hell was that?
Bonanza niner echo.
Traffic on a final 2 Miles.
Expedite your cross, runway 2-6 right.
Pilot: 2-6 right. Roger.
Sky west 478...
Man: Hello?
Did you hear that?
Hear what?
Sky west 478,
captain, we're still waiting for word
from flow on D.C. and Baltimore.
Will advise.
Hello? Phoenix tower,
this is Dr. shamaal murkurgee, m.D.,
I'm a licensed pilot, f.A.A.
Are you there?
Because I am here.
Tower?
Tower, repeat, this is Dr. shamaal murkurgee, m.D.,
licensed pilot.
To the unidentified pilot
on frequency 126.7,
contact Phoenix tower at 120.7 immediately.
Air Mexico 183, Phoenix, maintain 2-7-0 knots.
Sequence for a buck?
How much time do I get?
American 87, Phoenix, turn left 10 degrees
direct Santa Fe v-o-r.
I'll give you 5 seconds. Shoot.
A-15, r-30,
c-60, t-105. Next 2.
[Imitating buzzer] Eeh.
Uh, e-150.
Wrong. E-165.
You're slipping, man.
I'm worried about my controllers.
Your controllers will be fine.
They're among the most highly trained people
working for the federal government.
I got wind at 80 knots below 3,000 feet
and zero visibility headed straight for us.
Wrong. The storm stalled.
Even so, I already have to fly 48 planes
through a crack of smooth air tighter than your budget.
We cannot handle the additional flights.
If Denver can do it, we can do it.
Oh, damn it, Susan, this is about the committee review.
This is about you and your facility rating.
Well, this is not Chicago approach, Susan.
This is not New York.
Now I know why
you stepped down from Chicago.
You couldn't handle it, could ya?
Hey, where's my damn strips?
I put them in order of altitude.
Pilot: Phoenix, southwest 556. Did you say 3-5-0?
Hey. Hey. Rookie? Rookie?
What?
Hi. Hi. Sorry to bother you.
What are these jets doing in my sector?
I-I-I don't know. I--
get them out of my air now.
Pilot: Phoenix, twa 44, how about 2-4-0?
Twa 44, I can't--I can't approve that right now.
Can you hold on a minute?
God, I know how to do this.
Oh, God. All right, all right, all right, all right.
Um, ok.
United. I mean, twa--
twa 44, Phoenix, fly to 2-niner-0.
Pilot: Twa 44, heading 2-niner-0. Roger.
Southwest 556, expedite climb.
Maintain flight level 2-7-0. Reduce
to 2-5-0 knots.
Southwest 556, climbing to 2-7-0 at 2-5-0 knots.
Why so slow?
Southwest 556, we gotta untie a knot here,
but we will get you back to speed,
and I promise a smooth tailwind across Kansas.
Is there a tailwind?
I don't know, but pilots love to hear it.
I'm sorry, I should have introduced myself sooner.
I'm Julie Albrecht.
Jack Harris.
Can I give you a tip?
Please.
Pilots are kind of like dogs.
You tell them what you want them to do.
But if they hear fear in your voice,
they're gonna start to take things
into their own hands.
So no matter how crazy
it gets on there,
you keep your voice strong.
Right. I-I-I--sorry, I just got distracted.
If you want to get a pilot to do something,
the magic word is expedite.
Expedite your climb immediately.
Expedite.
Take a deep breath.
Your major concern is right here.
You're gonna lose separation
in a couple minutes.
All you gotta do is turn him,
slow him down, and tuck this one in
right behind him.
Left?
No. Turn him first.
1-8-0, and you better slow him down to 300.
American 101, turn right heading 1-8-0,
reduce to 2-5-0 knots.
There you go.
See, one of the hardest things to grasp
is that you're dealing with a 2-dimensional image,
but you're actually dealing with 3 dimensions--
altitude, direction, and speed.
Which means time.
Plus, you gotta stay a couple steps
ahead of these guys.
Look, right here.
You're gonna have a terrible tangle here
in about 5 minutes.
But once you realize that,
that's 95% of the battle.
Where?
Now, whoever's working sector 25 high
kinda screws you by sending this parade in
all messed up like this,
but we'll get them lined up in no time.
I see it.
Altitude, direction, and speed.
So, we'll turn united first?
No.
He's the closest, but he's going the slowest.
All right.
Southwest 60,
turn left heading 0-niner-5. Break.
Continental 923, turn right heading 2-7-0.
Break. Phoenix air 394, reduce to 2-5-0 knots
for traffic overtaking your 12 o'clock,
7 Miles.
We all right here?
Oh, yeah, we just untied a knot.
Take your break.
[Sighs] Thank you. Yeah.
Well?
She ran into a jam.
You want to stay with this sector?
I think I can swing it.
Pilot: Center, vanguard 939 with you at X-ray.
Roger, vanguard 939.
I'll plug in right now if you want to go back to the strips.
No, I'd like to stay.
Thought you might.
Thanks.
Vanguard 939, welcome to my airspace.
We'll try and give you some smooth air tonight.
Good evening, Phoenix. It's good to be with you.
Good evening to you, sir.
Get me mister--
if this is about Randy, I told you--
do I need to get my eyes checked,
or does Julie Albrecht need a shave?
Who is that on 14 high?
Do you ever go home?
It's Jack Harris.
Flight 290 Harris? Where's his paperwork?
I know, Murray, it's my fault. You'll get it.
I won't sign them.
This man could be a threat
to airspace safety.
That is my single concern.
Item one...
I was there the night of the crash.
No one is questioning his quote,
heroism, unquote.
I'm referring when he transferred to Phoenix
and tried to return to duty--
Murray, do you understand what we're dealing with here tonight?
March 1994.
Subject arrived intoxicated at work.
Ohh. He completed alcohol rehab program.
July 1995. Subject verbally abused
coworkers, had to be restrained.
And the complaint was dropped.
Look, I know how it may look on paper,
but I've known Jack Harris for 10 years.
He is the best controller I've ever seen.
November 1996.
After a level 2 loss of separation,
subject physically assaulted
facility chief.
And got a standing ovation.
I need him. He's staying.
I'm taking this up
with the regional inspector general.
You know what that could mean for you.
I've seen your file, too, Murray.
Did you know...
That in the entire history of the f.A.A.,
you're one of only 3 controllers
to ever volunteer for that job?
[Door slams]
Phoenix approach, at 127-point-55.
Radio: Point-55, good evening.
Have a good evening, too, sir.
Just like riding a bicycle, huh?
Ok, are you ready
for your field certification test?
Sure, why not?
All right. What's our control airspace?
50-mile radius,
hand off to tower at 5 Miles,
all vfr and ifr at 2,000 feet.
And our runway configuration?
Roger, tower.
Delta 39,
we need you to slow down your approach
due to ground traffic.
Reduce to 1-4-0 knots.
Runway configuration--
radio: Delta 39, Roger.
Twin east-west, both 7,000 feet,
rated level one, all-weather,
standard localizer and glide slope,
secondary north and South
at 6,200 feet.
Field elevation?
2-niner-8-7, above sea level.
And our hand-off southbound?
West Los Angeles, sector 39,
at frequency 1-5-8 point 7,
east El Paso, 1-3-5 point 5,
and north Kansas City,
1-2-niner point 8.
Right-o.
I should've thrown this away
a long time ago, but I didn't.
Jesus Christ.
Welcome back, hotshot.
[Laughs]
Thanks.
Mercury 4-7-7,
we need you to turn right,
heading 1-0-0.
Radio: Mercury 4-7-7, we're turning.
Good evening to you, Phoenix.
You have a good evening, too, sir.
The guy is not here.
He's got one foot at the console,
he's got one foot in the sky.
Shut up. I'm telling you,
the guy's a spook.
Who you calling a spook?
Your buddy, 290 Harris.
At least he's a body.
We need all the help we can get.
That's right, but this is not the place,
and tonight is not the night
to rehabilitate a career.
We studied the crash of 290.
I mean, you heard the tapes. There's nothing you, me,
or anybody else could've done. It wasn't Harris' fault.
You're entirely missing the point.
Forget the crash. Look in his eyes.
Where is he?
A good controller never thinks
that those are people up there.
He never thinks that lives are at stake.
Yeah, right. You're so full of shit.
Do you want to end up like Harris?
Do you want to be a drunk?
Or like, what the...
The white guy. Wilkins from Miami.
You are such a racist.
This guy hangs himself with his own belt.
Ok, let me tell you something.
You know where I'm going? To Chicago,
and I'm going to pull in the big money.
You want to know how?
Ok, you get a sky full of jets,
you get bad weather--
night like tonight.
And you handle it. Period.
If you think that those jets
are full of people,
you're going to choke. They're not.
They're time, space, and speed problems.
They're blips to be processed,
controlled, and ordered.
That's it.
Human lives have nothing to do with it.
Amanda, how long have you been off?
I know.
Why don't you do something?
Don't you work here?
Bite me!
So have you, uh,
checked out the twin turbos
on the new cessna by any chance?
Yeah. She's kind of sexy.
Flight 69,
you are now cleared for takeoff.
Excuse me.
Make sure your tray table's
in the upright position.
How you doing?
I'm cruise, by the way.
I just wanted to, uh...
I'm sorry about before.
I just--you know.
You got to keep your ducks in a row.
Little light reading. All right.
Uh, hey, if you have any questions
about this stuff, if you have any-- if you need--
need help at all, you come to me, ok?
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
Ok, you know,
'cause it's tricky, you know,
there's some night takeoffs, you know?
Uh, horizontal separation.
Uh...
Just cranking the ac in here,
it's just amazing.
So, um, yeah.
Cm-80 flight manual.
This is great.
Have you checked out
the chapter on deicing
by any chance?
Yeah. It comes right after the chapter
on failed approaches, I think.
Yeah.
Yeah. That went surprisingly well,
you know?
Like in a first-date kind of way.
Like a--yeah.
Harris: Pacific 4-7-7,
contact Kansas City center
at 2-niner point 8.
Radio: Kansas City, here we come.
Roger.
Good night, Phoenix.
You have a good evening, too, sir.
Twin cessna, 4-2-5 Gulf,
cleared to Santa Barbara
v.A. After blythe.
Direct maintain flight level 2-0-0.
Takeout?
Appetizers are great. They're only 5 bucks.
Thanks.
Let me know.
Radio: Center, united 3-8-3,
climbing to 3-0-0.
United 3-8-3,
expect continuous light chop.
Climb through flight level 2-8-0,
then occasional light chop
after that.
Navy 7-24, contact Los Angeles
at 1-3-3 point 2. Bryant--
radio: Navy 7-24, Roger.
You, uh--
you want me to keep an eye on his sector?
Whose sector?
Do your job.
United 23, Phoenix.
Expect rough air ahead,
but you'll miss it if you climb
to flight level 3-5-0.
Radio: Phoenix, united 23. Roger.
Pilot: Including crew, we have 174 souls on board.
Uh, Chicago, we are counting down.
Radio: Phoenix,
Republic 186 with you.
Republic 1-8-6, turn left, heading 0-niner-0.
Intercept the scottsdale 2-3-4 radial inbound.
Roger, Phoenix.
Break.
Thanks.
Cessna 4 Romeo Gulf,
you are 2 Miles inside active military airspace.
Suggest you fly heading 0-niner-0 immediately.
Randy groves, right?
Picked a hell of a night to come back, Harris.
You know, you--
you were going to be my hero.
How's that?
Well, you were out.
You had it made.
Life after controlling.
Look at me.
Total mess.
You had a deal tonight, didn't you?
It wasn't my fault.
Systems error.
I used to really love this.
I was really good, too.
It was so easy.
Now I'm on the boards,
and I drift.
I mean, I think about my wife and my kid.
I've lost it.
The screen is a mess,
snitche's going off.
I have another deal.
One step closer to the ax.
Yeah.
Laura: United 44, contact ground.
Have a good day.
Sky Atlantic 62, Phoenix tower.
Captain, you need to do a 360.
Radio: Damn it, tower. Do you know
how it costs this airline 2 grand
in fuel every time we circle?
Sky Atlantic 62,
give me $4,000 worth.
Pacific 10, turn left next taxi way.
Ground point niner.
Murkurgee: Hello. Hello.
Who can read me now?
Whoever's calling Phoenix,
say call sign.
Phoenix tower,
this is Dr. shamaal murkurgee, m.D.,
I'm a licensed pilot, f.A.A.
Do you have this guy?
Negative on him.
Say your heading and altitude.
The direction in which I am currently flying my plane is...
Forward.
Don't worry. Happens all the time.
Mander-Sierra-Romeo niner,
cross durango and maintain 8,000.
Pilot: Roger, center. Durango at 8,000.
Pilot: Center, southwest 328,
can we turn to 2-5-0?
Southwest 328, deviation left of course approved.
When able fly heading 2-5-0 and advise.
Traffic at your 3 o'clock, 8 Miles.
Same direction, flight level 2-2-0.
87-37.
Pilot: Thank you, Phoenix.
Cessna 31 Victor,
traffic alert, 2 o'clock,
7 Miles southbound, mode c,
indicates 7,100,
appears to be descending.
15, negative. Maintain heading,
traffic 2 Miles at your one o'clock.
Radio: Uh, Phoenix, twa 44,
leaving 8,000.
Roger that, twa 44,
we're handing you off to tower.
Frequency 1-3-4 point 6-2.
Good day, Phoenix.
Good day to you, sir.
Bravo delta niner,
contact Kansas City center
at 1-2-6-4-7.
Good evening, sir.
Radio: 1-2-6-4-7. Good evening.
Sun air 700 to center,
maintain flight level 6-0-0-0.
Radio: Sun air 700. Roger, 6,000.
How's the ride ahead?
We've got some chop,
but we will get you through.
Pilot: Uh, center, we have a situation.
Center, we have a situation.
Uh, Chicago, we are counting now.
We have that information for you now.
Including crew, we have 174 souls on board.
Hey, you going to call that?
[Radio beeps]
Hey.
Radio: Phoenix, Alaska 2-7-1.
Going to call it?
Call it, ace.
United 15, traffic alert.
Turn left immediately at 2-7-0,
descend to flight level 2-2-0, break.
Alaskan 2-7-1, traffic alert.
Turn right immediately at 0-niner-0,
then ascend to flight level 2-8-0.
Radio: Alaska 2-7-1 descending.
Sorry.
What happened?
Your friend almost screwed the pooch.
Clear out his sector,
I'll cover yours.
Northwest 29, El Paso altimeter
2-niner-7-4.
Radio: Thank you, Phoenix.
Center, what's ahead of me?
Alpha 7-90, you are 10 Miles in-trail
behind a 757.
We studied your case at the academy.
Used to be a hell of a controller.
Good luck to you.
Shit.
Hey.
Hey, what's up?
I can't do this. This was a mistake.
Oh, come on. You're doing fine.
I'm not doing fine.
Look, you just don't understand.
I do understand.
I understand I got too many planes to land
with a skeleton crew
and a storm that's about to roll over us
like a freight train.
I need you, man.
"A" side, passing out strips.
I don't care if you get coffee
or go clean the bathroom.
T.C., I can't see it,
I can't hear it, I can't do it.
Bullshit. You're giving up.
I'm not giving up.
Look, I don't know what else to say.
I'm sorry.
Look, it's my fault.
I should've left you on the strips.
Nobody comes back after a long break
and calls a busy sector by himself.
Now, goddamn it,
get your ass back in there.
Get in there.
Front's moving in.
We just got issued
a flash flood warning.
Air Peru 35, I cannot understand you.
Please repeat.
You're a rock. You're prudential.
I'm cool. I'm cool.
Did you talk to Murray?
Negative, air Peru.
That's a negative.
You have traffic beneath you.
Hold altitude. Hold altitude.
Do you understand, air Peru?
Radio: Phoenix control center,
I am Pedro requesting
permission and clearance
to descend. Do you copy me,
mister Phoenix? Copy and over.
Air Peru 35,
does anyone in your cockpit speak English?
Prudential.
English, air Peru.
Listen, I may have been a little too ambitious
in our capabilities to accept
the final 50 aircraft.
The, uh, weather conditions
have severely deteriorated,
and I don't think--
right.
No, I understand. We'll do our best.
I want to thank you again.
No problem.
Can I bum a cigarette?
Oh, sure.
Can I ask you a couple questions?
Sure.
Tonight's so intense for me. I--
I feel like I barely
know what I'm doing, you know?
I--I wasn't scheduled to plug in
for another couple of weeks.
You must've quit, huh?
Yeah. I got a pretty nice opportunity
with a computer software firm--
I meant quit smoking.
Yeah. I quit a few months ago.
I don't think I'm going to quit
anytime soon.
I--I just had no idea how different
calling traffic would be compared to the simulators.
Can't really fail this test.
But the pilots, they talk so fast,
and the radio cuts off calls,
and the--the screen's constantly moving,
and just walking into that room,
it's just such a rush, you know?
Probably not for you, though,
it's just routine, right?
So how--how long have you been controlling?
About 8 years.
An instructor at Oklahoma city,
he, uh,
he would compare controllers to athletes,
like baseball players,
and he would say,
don't think about hitting the ball,
just hit the ball, you know.
And then he'd just go on--
are you ok?
I'm sorry, you-- you don't look too good.
I'm fine.
I'm not. I'm wired.
I mean, I'm sorry.
I'm talking a mile a minute and--
is it still exciting for you?
Is it still a challenge?
You know, I remember
the first night I plugged in.
First night on the boards.
You're right. It's a great job.
There's no other job like it on earth.
It's kind of like
your instructor said,
one thing you got to remember
about sports,
hardest thing to do is hit a fastball.
True.
You still love it, though, right?
Yeah.
Yeah, I still love it.
You're doing great tonight.
Thanks.
Phoenix, approach at 126.47. Good day, sir.
I really appreciate you staying.
Never again. You owe me for this.
Pilot: Phoenix center, these holding delays are bullshit.
Who said that?
Attention all flights in this sector,
who said that? Who said that word?
Pilot: American 484, negative on the bullshit.
Twa 933, negative on the bullshit.
Continental 64, negative on the bullshit.
Delta 282, negative on the bullshit.
Texas 77, negative on the bullshit.
I want you set up for both approach sectors.
You got it, hoss.
East-west approach channels,
nice and clean, hand them off to Randy.
You got it.
I'm serious. We got a snarly
bitch-bear coming.
Cake.
God.
Southwest 4-12,
contact Kansas City. 1-3-5 point 6-5.
Radio: Roger, Phoenix, happy new year.
Roger, southwest. Same to you.
T.C.: Northwest 29,
El Paso altimeter 2-niner-o-4.
I'll do anything I can to help
except clean the restrooms.
Strips. You got it.
Thanks.
Uh, repeat, northwest 29,
El Paso altimeter 2-niner-0-4.
Goddamn it.
Pilot: Where's Phoenix?
Listen up, Phoenix, are you there?
T.C.: All right, people, sit tight.
Wait for the emergency lights.
Sam: Can I take my break now?
I have no idea.
I think the power company
lost a terminal somewhere.
Oh, Curtis.
Not so close.
Listen, reboot the system, ok?
No. Come back here.
All right, listen.
Once you get the juice,
you come back here and you tell me why
those batteries gave out again, ok?
Quinn.
As soon as I know the rules,
you're going to love this game.
Ok, come on. Watch your step.
Phoenix, we're just going to fly
right on in as fast as we want,
do you read?
Phoenix?
This?
That.
T.C: Quinn, you are killing us up here.
Ow. Ow.
You ok? Yeah.
Look at this.
Kennedy is sending troops
to someplace called South Vietnam.
Are you holding your breath?
Uh-huh.
Well,
we're partially back.
What do you mean?
It means that we don't have enough juice,
so it's either your computers
or the cooling system.
You can't have a cool center
and have your computers work at the same time.
How long can we run without ac?
I'd say as soon as it reaches 105 down here,
the computers will crash.
Susie,
don't use all your lights.
Laura: To all flights
holding for Phoenix arrival,
listen up, and pay attention,
ladies and gentlemen,
or something's going to happen
none of us wants to see.
We're sending you into twin lanes
for slam dunks as fast as we can.
Phoenix has suspended departures,
so ground traffic will be minimal.
You flights on the northeast ring,
pass out more peanuts,
you're the cabooses.
Radio: Center, silver air 4-9-4,
you're going to ruin our on-time record.
T.C.: Silver air 4-94, negative, sir.
Please hold your present speed.
Hey.
For the record, you were right.
I called national flow
and tried to get them to--
the jets are coming. We're going to land them.
Who's last in?
Trans Gulf 47. Regular run from Dallas.
Hush. Hush.
It's all right. It's all right.
Uh, miss?
Can I get another Jack Daniels, please?
Shh. Shh. Shh. Shh.
Yes, sir.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Shh.
America west 46,
descend and maintain one-4,000.
Pilot: One-4,000, Roger.
So is it true
what they say about controllers
burning out by their mid-30s?
That's what they say.
So why are you back?
I'm not back.
Bryant needed some help tonight,
so I'm here.
Oh.
I lost radio.
Compile a list of flights
and fuel levels.
We got to turn them away.
You're right. Thanks.
Cruise, alert L.A. central.
Randy, call Kansas City. Ok.
Amanda. Yeah?
See if you can get a hold of the duty officer
at the air force base. See if their tower
can be of any help.
Yes, I need central air operations
for all the major airlines.
Rrr!
All sectors, flight strips down here asap.
Harris: Fuel estimates. Julie.
Julie: Sir.
Take down these numbers:
F-l-2-9-7-2,
6,500 pounds.
Alpha Juliet 5-6-7-3,
7,900 pounds.
Sector 13,
I need your strips now.
All inbound aircraft.
Bryant, palmdale has radio contact,
but no radar.
T.C.: Can they take them?
Negative.
Well, the nearest all-weather runway
is Las Vegas. How many can make it?
No. Vegas is out.
They got severe winds, heavy rain,
and zero visibility.
Denver's nearest.
Let's see. Um,
these flights have got enough fuel
to make it. Maybe delta 41,
but I wouldn't risk it.
All right, cruise,
get on the horn to palmdale
and tell them to send the following jets
to Denver,
us air 88, southwest 438,
united 21, continental 838,
twa 44, Texas 493,
cactus 21.
What about the rest?
Well, I don't know. There's mcclain municipal,
there's the national guard strip near sonoma,
and the air force base.
No, the longest runway
of the 3 of them is 6,000 feet.
Sonoma doesn't even have
emergency crews.
Well, if Quinn doesn't get us back online,
we don't have a choice.
Shit.
Come on, help me clear off the desk.
Ok, this is our runway,
here are our thunderstorm cells
right here.
Ok, now,
all the gum pieces
are our aircraft above 15,000 feet,
and the batteries
represent aircraft on inbound marker
under 10,000.
Quinn, the radio first.
I know. I know.
5 seconds.
Ok.
Northwest 3-9-3
will be right there.
Man, I hate
those air traffic controllers.
I mean, what do they really do?
Just sit there. Who needs them?
What's f.A.A. Stand for?
All: Fucked again and again.
Now.
No.
Now.
Not yet.
Come on.
Where are you going?
Isn't it funny?
This thing was on my requisition form
about 6 months ago.
I'm going to the hardware store. Want to come?
Can you fix it? I need to make a decision.
Susan, I will know in 20 minutes.
15. 15.
Why do you always say that?
P.A.: Your attention, please.
Will passenger Madison persell
please pick up the nearest
white courtesy phone?
No, unacceptable.
I'm going to direct-dialogue the senator
and bi-link conference you in two.
Sir, I've just learned that Dulles and national are open,
but the white house wants to replace you
with the speaker of the house.
They don't think you can make it in time.
It's going to be a p.R. Catastrophe.
Christina, here is another reason
why you should have attended west point.
You've obviously failed to master command and control
in a crisis situation.
Jeez.
I'm cool.
Radio: Phoenix--north-- 3-9--do you copy?
Center, are you there?
Yes. We have radio.
Northwest 3-9-3, Roger.
Sorry we left you.
Maintain flight level 3-5-0.
Cruise: This is not a problem.
It's not a problem. Just watch.
We split them into odds and evens,
right, these northern flights become the odds,
they descend to 7.
Evens descend to 6,
odds bend back, fold into one line
5 Miles in-trail.
Yeah, but--
just shh. Stay with me.
Hang with me, please.
This can work.
The odds bend like an "s," right?
Slows them down,
back behind the parade, and in.
The final approach will be a slam dunk.
Why waste time with this--
this square dance thing?
Just have them hold and circle
and then we'll just peel them off
one by one.
Because there's not enough fuel.
Phoenix, northwest 393 heavy.
Requesting clearance for direct to the airport.
Northwest 393, turn right, heading 2-7-0.
Intercept 2-6 left localizer.
Maintain 7,000 and expect I.L.S. Approach.
Roger. Randy...
Here comes number one.
I'm ready.
Laura: What about the backup?
Negative again.
We've lost the I.L.S.
Where'd they go?
All sectors hold all arrivals.
Phoenix, northwest 3-niner-3 heavy,
we got a major problem holding.
Northwest 393, remain in holding.
We are aware of your fuel situation.
You will receive vectors to the air national guard base
if necessary.
This is all lit up.
So what does that say to you?
This says to me every system is working.
Quinn, we only have 8 minutes.
We only have 8 minutes.
That's it. Come on, let's go.
Uh, Phoenix, we have approximately 7 minutes
until we declare a fuel emergency.
Ohh...
Unbelievable.
I hope you can see this, Stratton.
I can read your lips, Quinn.
Sorry, but the golden girl never climbs stairs.
Unbelievable.
It's dead.
No kidding.
All right, talk to me.
Uh, we're at the dish.
And we still don't have it.
They still ain't got it.
We're running on fumes at this point.
Now or never.
Uh, Phoenix, northwest 3-niner-3 heavy.
Give us the vectors to the air force base.
Aah!
He did it.
Clear the sky.
Northwest 393, you are cleared out of holding.
Descend to 4,000. Expect I.L.S. Approach.
Runway 2-6 Romeo. Break.
U.S. air 45, turn left heading 0-5-0 vectors
to the approach course.
Descend to 6,000. You're 2 out of 5. Break.
United 325, turn right. Heading 2-7-0.
You will be following traffic 3 Miles
at your 9 o'clock.
Hoo hah.
Where's Stratton?
I've been sitting on a hard plastic seat
drinking bad coffee for three hours.
I was promised that my flight would leave here by 5:30.
It is now 7:30.
Excuse me, sir. Could you please step outside?
You don't tell me to step outside.
I can have all your asses on a platter.
To whoever can hear my voice,
this is Dr. shamaal murkurgee, m.D.
Licensed pilot.
I believe it would be prudent
for me to land the plane now.
However, unfortunately,
I still cannot see the ground.
If you have a transponder,
turn it on so we can see you on radar.
Do you understand?
Transponder?
No. Where the hell did this come from?
That's it.
Take it easy, Randy.
I'm not taking it easy.
You stay away from me.
Everybody just stay away from me.
Now, Stratton, I know for a fact
the Washington airports are open.
So what am I gonna tell the president
about what happened here tonight?
Move, move, move. Move it.
Sir, we're having a very difficult evening.
If you care to discuss it, we could step outside.
Not until you tell me when I will be in the air.
Go to the tower and jump. I'll clear that flight.
Sir, you are disrupting a very delicate operation.
I am not leaving until you answer my question.
I am asking you to please leave my facility.
When you release my flight.
I can't hear!
Leave, or I'll have you arrested for trespassing.
I thought you were one of our up-and-comers, Stratton.
I tried to turn them.
They're heading straight for each other.
Try again.
Flight 560, turn left and descend immediately. Break.
Flight 34, turn right and climb immediately.
No response.
Did you try--
no, no. Thank you, no. Get this guy away from me.
It's ok. It's ok.
Jesus.
Holy shit. Where'd he come from?
Mom, mom, I saw an airplane out there.
Whew. 20 years of calling traffic,
I've never seen anything like that.
Forget about it. Pilot error.
You all right?
Yeah. Got these thunderstorm cells right here.
We just got east/west left.
Can you do it?
Hey, it's me.
This is gonna be pretty tight.
Is there enough fuel to restage?
Watch and learn, hoss.
I call this the Mary Lou retton flip.
[Knock on door]
I know you're gonna pull me.
You should've been long gone.
No, no. It wasn't my fault.
And you're not going to report me
because it was the machine.
You're making it worse.
Who investigates the machine?
I'm going to add a psych evaluation.
You're looking at 120 days.
No.
Who monitors the system?
What are you going to do with that?
Where are the tapes?
Gimme that thing.
Where are the tapes?
No investigation. No report.
No investigation and no report.
No investigation and no report!
No report!
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let go of the club.
Forgive me for saying I told you so.
Murray, go home.
Let go of the golf club.
Help him out of here.
I'm ok.
Come on.
I'm ok. I'm ok.
[Engine humming]
Do you smoke?
No.
Neither do I.
Mary Lou retton.
Next time, I'll show you my Michael Jordan slam.
No, thanks, hoss. No, thanks.
I suppose a blowjob is out of the question.
T.C.: All right, people, we're out of the woods.
Terrific job. Well done.
Oh, it was, uh, nice working with you.
Thanks. Good luck working here.
You did great tonight.
That was fun.
Yeah, and we get to do it all over again tomorrow.
Hey, sweetie. Mommy's coming home.
All right, bye.
Hey, everybody, hold up. A toast. New year's.
Got any big plans for the new year?
No, not really.
Join us?
No alcohol in the facility.
Gotcha. Yeah.
Here we go.
Hey, Sam, how many you drop today?
5.
That's low for you.
I'd like to propose a toast.
To hell with Chicago. To hell with New York.
You are the best controllers in the world.
Hear, hear.
Mmm.
Ahh...
Beautiful sight.
You guys hungry?
Want anything before I unplug Mr. gourmet?
Uh, no, thanks, Connie.
Nothing personal, Connie,
but your coffee's got more octane
than the fuel in this plane.
I'll take that as a no.
[Snickers]
Ladies and gentlemen,
the captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign.
If you would, please make sure
that your seat backs and tray tables
are in their full, upright, and locked position
for our descent into Phoenix.
Thank you.
I still can't believe that game.
The chiefs as a team have one purpose--
to bum me out.
[Snickers]
Think you got problems?
Damn Dodgers haven't won since '88.
Hey, pal, let me suffer here.
I mean, they had home field advantage in arrowhead. They--
[alarm sounds]
Fuses are fried.
Hello.
No avionics.
And no radio.
There goes the blood supply.
Switching to backup.
Negative.
Other pump.
Negative.
Once again.
Uh-uh.
Contact center. Use your cell phone.
Good night, everyone.
Good night, Amanda.
[Phone rings]
Radar room.
Phoenix, trans-Gulf 47. We've lost radio.
I'll patch you through to your controller.
Cruise, it's for you.
Trans-Gulf 47, go ahead.
Roger, Phoenix.
We've totally lost hydraulics and avionics.
No rudders, no flaps. No way to turn.
We're flying blind.
We'd be hard-pressed to make the runway.
Trans-Gulf 47, how much fuel? How many souls on board?
We have sufficient fuel.
We'll have to get back to you on the count.
I understand.
The weather's deteriorating rapidly.
Roger. Contacting e.T.C. For advice.
Please stand by.
Roger, Phoenix. Not going anywhere.
Bryant...
We've got a situation.
Susan: The e.T.C. Has no advice.
They can't believe it's still flying.
Initiate phase one emergency crash response.
Put 'em on the speaker.
Trans-Gulf 47, we have no further advice at this time.
Roger, Phoenix.
Just keep us away from the city.
We got about 40 seconds to decide
whether we want 'em to ditch in the desert.
The alternative?
After that, it's suburbs, then downtown.
Right. So we slow 'em down right here.
Without hydraulics, how will they get down?
Gravity. Just reduce power, glide in, and drop.
There's got to be a freeway--
there are 4 access roads in this 5-square-mile area.
At night? No visibility? In a storm?
I know. It's sheer luck, but it's his only chance.
Look, this plane is going down.
The only decision we have to make is where.
The desert.
It'll produce the most survivors.
47...Reduce speed as much as practical.
Roger, Phoenix.
We understand.
Bryant, there's another way.
By alternating thrusts,
we can give 'em a no-gyro approach.
Susan, we have another option. Tell her.
When I was in the Navy controlling,
we had a tomcat lose all hydraulics.
We regained directional control
by alternating the thrusts
on the left and right sides.
Try it.
What's the point? What am I supposed to tell him?
Tell him we can get him to turn
by reducing power in one engine. You and I--
we time the turn by, say, 30 seconds. One degree per second.
Then we can calculate. Call it.
What's the point? Even if we can turn 'em,
where are we gonna send 'em?
He's got no hydraulics, no glide slope, no localizer.
We'll be his eyes.
Call it.
Trans-Gulf 47...
We recommend turning by alternating thrusts.
We'll try to establish a consistent turn rate
and help you calculate a no-gyro approach.
We understand.
3...
2...
1.
Didn't work.
Oh, come on. There's a 10-second delay on the radar.
He turned 23 degrees.
All right. Now where?
Hold on. I think I got something.
South by southeast, toward the border,
away from those storms.
It's low. It's flat. Low population.
Susan: What about medical response?
It can't be too isolated.
Trans-Gulf 47, we are trying to figure out our next move.
Do you have any preferences?
Someplace flat and hard.
Roger, 47.
Ok, there's an army base here.
They can help with search and rescue.
Straight roads here and here.
It's worth a shot.
Your call.
What does he need to do to head 2-7-0?
In this plane, at his current speed,
I'd have to do a couple of test turns,
but I'm sure I can get him
going in the right direction.
Fuel?
12 minutes at current speed.
Do it. Find out who's in charge at the base--
wait a second. Wait a second.
I think we can get 'em back to the airport.
What?
No. A series of left-hand turns
at a controlled rate of descent.
He burns his fuel, drops under the ceiling--
no. We get him near the airport.
We drop him low, treetop level. Bring him in under the clouds.
And if you're wrong, he's right over the city.
You're sending a 737 skidding into a storm
with no visuals, no hydraulics--
I don't have time for this. Talk to me.
A series of left-hand turns
in a controlled rate of descent
in a tightening spiral
brings him right into our runway.
With a lot of lives in the equation.
I understand that.
Bryant?
With his fuel, we gotta get it right the first time.
We're off a degree--
no. We brought the tomcat
back to the kitty hawk in 30-foot swells,
and I gotta tell ya,
our runway's a hell of a lot bigger than an aircraft carrier.
Look, this might not be exactly how it happens,
but we can talk him down.
Pilot: Phoenix, this is trans-Gulf 47.
We are waiting to hear from you.
Trans-Gulf 47, please stand by.
Cruise, you call it.
Harris, you assist him with the numbers.
Bryant, alert all emergency ground support.
[Babies crying]
Ma'am...
Ma'am, I'm sorry. This is not gonna work.
No, no. He's ok. I can hold him.
Ma'am, I can't let you keep both of them.
No. Please. We're not gonna crash, anyway.
Ma'am, you cannot hold both of them.
Let me take one.
Let me help. Let me help.
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
We got 'em. We got 'em. We got 'em.
Ok, ok.
All available rescue units,
we're shooting for runway 2-6 left.
E.T.A. 10 minutes.
[Sirens]
[Horn honks]
Trans-Gulf, this is Phoenix control.
Your flight 47 has lost hydraulics and avionics.
They are now communicating by cellular phone.
We have a 15-second right engine burn
in 25 seconds.
Shit.
It's just a hiccup. It's just a hiccup.
Come on, come on, come on.
15-second burn, 10 seconds.
That's too far. It'll put 'em at--
15-second burn, 5...
4..
3...
2...
1. On my mark.
Now.
Phoenix, repeat.
Shit! Missed it.
Uh...Ok, we can compensate
with a 55-second burn in 30 seconds.
Look, man, you've gotta calm down.
All I wanna hear from you
is the numbers, ok?
Try it now.
Almost.
Come on, baby.
Phoenix, the aileron's back. What's our next move?
47, we are working on it.
Maintain heading. Come on, come on.
Come on.
15-second burn in 10 seconds.
47, on my mark, a 50-second burn--
no, no. 15-second--
correction, 47.
Wait, wait. Slow down. Say again.
Calm down. Remember, you're talking to a man up there.
47, on my mark, 15-second burn,
right thrust to 1-4-0.
Now.
And stop.
Level out.
Got it, Phoenix. What's next?
Maintain heading for 75 seconds.
Maintain heading for one minute 15.
Good work.
Don't tell me how to talk to pilots.
I've never lost a plane. I have a perfect record.
Cruise, step away.
What?
Harris, you call it.
Bryant...
Take a break. Now.
Knock yourself out.
You ready, Jack?
Let's do it.
Trans-Gulf 47, sorry for the delay.
Bear with us, and we will get you down.
10 seconds.
Man: What about the computers?
Stop the burn in 5...
4...
3...
2...
1.
Stop.
Trans-Gulf 47,
maintain heading for...30 seconds.
Radio's back.
Good work.
[Whispering] Sir, we have 138 souls onboard.
Uh, Phoenix, our radios are back.
And including crew, we have 138 souls onboard.
Man: Chicago center, 2-niner-0.
We have that information for you now.
Including crew, we have 174 souls onboard.
Pilot: Phoenix, do you copy?
138 souls.
[Echoing, overlapping voices]
Trans-Gulf pilot: Leveled off.
I repeat, we've leveled off.
Uh, Phoenix control...
This is trans-Gulf 47.
No.
47, we are calculating your last turn.
It's gonna be a long, slow, 60-second burn.
Bring you right into runway 2-6.
7,000 feet long. Open fields beyond.
Even without flaps, you will be smiling.
Ready. On your mark.
Copy.
5...
4...
3...
2...
1. Burn.
[Alarm sounds]
Ohh, come on.
Steve...
Steve, will you handle that? Ohh--
[radio cuts out]
Trans-Gulf 47, come in.
[Silence]
Trans-Gulf 47, come in.
[Silence continues]
Trans-Gulf 47, come in.
We've lost positive radar contact.
Tower, do you have him?
Tower: Negative. Nothing.
Trans-Gulf 47, come in.
I'm gonna call it.
No, don't you call it.
My calculations were right. His coordinates were correct.
Trans-Gulf 47, come in.
Damn it.
Trans-Gulf 47, come in.
God damn it, they were right. God damn it!
County rescue, this is Stratton,
Phoenix air traffic control center.
We've had a crash.
Those of you with tomorrow off,
the n.T.S.B. Accident investigators
will be here and so will you.
Bryant, you better get up here.
Harris just ran by my door.
Jack...
The coordinates were right.
That's right.
My calculations were correct.
I know they were.
A series of left-hand turns in a tightening spiral
brings 'em right into this goddamn runway!
Jack, come on in now.
No!
Jack, come on in.
Listen.
[Faint sound of jet engines]
You did all you could. Now come on in.
Wait a second. Do you hear that?
[Airliner approaches]
It's coming from over there.
He's right.
Shit.
I have positive radar contact 5 Miles out.
Heading 2-6-0 at 1-5-5 knots.
Pilot: Uh, Phoenix, trans-Gulf 47.
We, uh, had a little electrical problem.
Hope we didn't scare you.
Trans-Gulf 47, no scare here.
You should be approaching the outer marker.
We got it.
Phoenix, can you confirm our wheels are down?
Looks good from here.
[Babies crying]
Trans-Gulf 47, you are too far left.
Trans-Gulf 47, you're gonna have to come around again.
[Crying]
It's ok. It's ok.
Trans-Gulf 47, power up.
More power.
[Screaming]
Jesus Christ.
Trans-Gulf 47, you are looking good.
Pilot: Hey, Phoenix, what's your name?
Harris. What's yours?
David Donnelly.
Let me buy you a cold one.
David, I'll be buying the cold ones.
You're doing all the work up there.
David...
Yeah, Harris.
Can you see the runway yet?
No, not anymore.
Ok. Your last turn's
gonna be approximately 20 seconds
on my mark.
Correction.
Last turn will be exactly 22 seconds
on my mark.
3...2...1.
Mark. Right engine thrust.
He's too far left.
He's right.
Shit. David, can you come around again?
Can't do that.
We are committed.
I can do this.
Moving over to runway 1-8.
Laura, clear that runway.
Got it, Bryant.
Come on. Hold on.
[Baby cries]
Shh.
David, more power.
Yeah!
Outstanding. Outstanding.
David, welcome to Phoenix.
Welcome to Phoenix.
Harris, that tomcat missed the carrier, didn't it?
Yeah, but we saved the crew.
Hey, cruise...
[Powers down engine]
You know, my wife's here to pick me up.
If you ever tell her what we just went through,
you'll never fly with me again.
Our secret.
Hi. Oh, honey.
Feels good to hit a fastball, doesn't it?
Yeah.