Part 6/10:
Initially, the climb to FL330 progressed, but the demand for climb thrust coupled with the activated anti-icing system caused the aircraft to lose speed. The pilots found themselves in a precarious position with their airspeed diminishing. They faced a choice—either increase thrust or descend to a lower altitude. In an environment where passenger comfort was prioritized, these pilots neglected the aircraft's rapidly declining performance.
As the flight continued, complacency and fatigue allowed the crew to fall further into a perilous cycle without addressing the deceleration. The captain, possibly overwhelmed by the flight's demands and the stress from external factors, became inattentive to instrument readings, despite warnings.