The Unimpressive Disappearance of Northwest Flight 188
Image credit: John Proctor Collection
October 21, 2009, Northwest Airlines Flight 188, an Airbus A320-212, registered as N374NW, serial number 1646 departed San Diego International Airport, California, at 5:01pm CDT on a regularly scheduled flight to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Flight 188 was scheduled to arrive at 8:01 pm CDT with an estimated en route time of 3 hours.
At 6:56 pm CDT, Air Traffic Control lost contact with Northwest Flight 188 as the aircraft was transiting over Denver, Colorado.
At 6:56 pm CDT, Air Traffic Control lost contact with Northwest Flight 188 as the aircraft was transiting over Denver, Colorado.
"Denver Center: Northwest 188 Contact Minneapolis Center 124.87...see ya"
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ATC attempted to contact the crew of 188 to contact Minneapolis ARTCC so they could issue an amended clearance to land in Minneapolis however, after multiple attempts in vain by Denver and Minneapolis ARTCC, no contact was established.
Other aircraft in the area also tried to contact Flight 188 in an attempt to help the controllers reestablish contact with the Northwest airliner, but none were successful. Northwest Airlines issued a radio text message directly to the crew, which also went unanswered.
North American Air Defence (NORAD) now fully aware of the situation readied fighter jets to intercept Flight 188 as it continued on its silent Eastbound track. Just as the jets were ready to scramble, Minneapolis Air Traffic Control re-established contact with the Northwest airliner at 8:14 pm, over 70 minutes after radio contact was lost. At this point, the Airbus A320 was already 150 miles to the East of the planned destination they had already overshot.
Other aircraft in the area also tried to contact Flight 188 in an attempt to help the controllers reestablish contact with the Northwest airliner, but none were successful. Northwest Airlines issued a radio text message directly to the crew, which also went unanswered.
North American Air Defence (NORAD) now fully aware of the situation readied fighter jets to intercept Flight 188 as it continued on its silent Eastbound track. Just as the jets were ready to scramble, Minneapolis Air Traffic Control re-established contact with the Northwest airliner at 8:14 pm, over 70 minutes after radio contact was lost. At this point, the Airbus A320 was already 150 miles to the East of the planned destination they had already overshot.
The crew only became painfully aware of their transgression when a flight attendant asked them what time they were due to land. At that point, the crew contacted ATC in what must have been a supremely uncomfortable transmission. ATC then requested the airliner perform a series of maneuvers to ensure the crew were in fact in control of thier aircraft and that the transponder target they were tracking was indeed Flight 188
Northwest Flight 188 finally touched down at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport at 9:04 pm CDT…1 hour and 3 minutes late.
According to the post-flight investigation, the crew of Flight 188 told National Transportation Safety Board investigators that they had been distracted going over the new Crew Scheduling Preferential Bidding System(PBS) on their laptop computers. The flight crew denied all accusations that they had fallen asleep during the night flight.
On October 27, 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration revoked the licenses of both the Captain and First Officer of Northwest Flight 188.
Northwest Flight 188 finally touched down at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport at 9:04 pm CDT…1 hour and 3 minutes late.
According to the post-flight investigation, the crew of Flight 188 told National Transportation Safety Board investigators that they had been distracted going over the new Crew Scheduling Preferential Bidding System(PBS) on their laptop computers. The flight crew denied all accusations that they had fallen asleep during the night flight.
On October 27, 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration revoked the licenses of both the Captain and First Officer of Northwest Flight 188.
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