N47BA: The plane that flew while everyone inside was likely dead

[Still Waters]

A Learjet 35, registered as N47BA, was a private jet carrying some very important people. Taking off from Orlando, Florida, on October 25, 1999,

They took off as usual and began climbing to a preapproved altitude of 11,900 meters (39,000 feet) above sea level. At 7,000 m (23,000 feet), radio contact was acknowledged by the pilot, indicating everything was normal – this was the last contact from Learjet 35.  

Six minutes later, contact with the plane was attempted again, but with no answer. Multiple subsequent attempts in the next few minutes sent alarm bells ringing, and it was time for the Air Force to get involved. 

https://www.iflscience.com/n47ba-the-plane-that-flew-while-everyone-inside-was-likely-dead-69038

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_South_Dakota_Learjet_crash

[+and-then]

I remember that day well.  I was in the little village of Medina, NY, setting up for a class for some nurses on our software that they were having installed.  I had set up the equipment in the classroom and had the rest of the day off so I was driving the few miles up to Niagara Falls to do the tourist thing.  I had tuned in Rush Limbaugh and he announced that he couldn't give a name but that a famous golfer was on board the aircraft.  Sad day.  Those who aren't familiar with golf celebrities would still likely remember Payne Stewart if they'd ever seen him.  He dressed the part, magnificently

[pellinore]

Another sad but similar incident. It occurred about the time I made several flights to and from Larnaca:

An investigation into the crash by the Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board (AAIASB) concluded that the crew had neglected to set the pressurization system to automatic during the take-off checks. This caused the plane not to be pressurized during the flight and resulted in nearly everyone on board suffering from generalized hypoxia, thus resulting in a ghost flight. The negligent nature of the accident led to lawsuits being filed against Helios Airways and Boeing, with the former also being shut down by the government of Cyprus the following year.

Helios Airways Flight 522 - Wikipedia

Edited May 22, 2023 by pellinore

[Alchopwn]

13 hours ago, and-then said:

 

I was having an argument with a female friend who tried to tell me that the terms "frump" and "frumpish" only applied to women.  I won the argument by pointing out the existence of golf clothes and men who wear smocks.

[+and-then]

1 hour ago, Alchopwn said:

I won the argument by pointing out the existence of golf clothes and men who wear smocks.

Well, to each his own.  I've always been a VERY conservative dresser and Stewart's style isn't something I'd have ever mimicked but I always admired people comfortable enough in their own skin to not really care what others thought  

[Piney]

On 5/23/2023 at 3:21 AM, and-then said:

Well, to each his own.  I've always been a VERY conservative dresser and Stewart's style isn't something I'd have ever mimicked but I always admired people comfortable enough in their own skin to not really care what others thought  

I admired he had moral standards, unlike some other pig who should be banned I won't mention.