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This miscommunication solidified as the controller, hearing the pilots' requests for further descent, believed they were following standard protocol, while the pilots took it as permission to descend, resulting in a fatal chain of events.
Descent into Danger
Flight 1308 received clearance for descent and initiated this maneuver, unaware that they were now well below the minimum altitude required for safety. Instead of a gradual approach, Flight 1308, influenced by strong tailwinds and mismanagement of the holding patterns, found itself dangerously close to Mount San Petro, a 4,500-foot high peak.