Part 5/10:
The flight scheduled for a late night departure faced delays due to the airline's inability to pay for fuel promptly, pushing the takeoff to nearly 1 AM. Once aloft, the flight began normally and climbed to 31,000 feet and engaged the autopilot. However, thunderstorms plagued their route, prompting the pilots to turn on the engine anti-ice system—a decision that critically reduced engine thrust.
In an alarming move, the crew requested clearance to climb to 33,000 feet (FL330) despite being aware of their aircraft's maximum service ceiling limitations. The captain's request was likely fueled by turbulence encountered during their initial climb amidst worsening weather. With the aircraft already close to maximum weight, this request was fundamentally flawed.